Endurance training at intensities approximating maximal lactate steady state (MLSS) may heighten exercise adaptations while minimizing risk of overtraining. Measuring MLSS in the laboratory is labor intensive; however, time trial events are relatively simple and often completed in endurance sports. To determine if a relationship exists between the average workload during a 6 km rowing time trial and MLSS workload, female Division I rowers (age 20.1± 0.2yrs, VO2 peak 46.4±0.8ml/kg/min, n=23) underwent a maximal power output test on the rowing ergometer (max power 263.5 ± 5.9 W), and MLSS determined using 30 min constant workload bouts of rowing (mean MLSS 2.64 ± 0.1mmol/l). Subsequently, subjects completed a 6 km time trial to determine time and mean power. A significant relationship was found between mean power output and MLSS workload (r² =0.8377, p<.0001). Mean power output during the 6 km time trial (214.4 ± 4.8W) was greater than the average MLSS power output (168.6 ± 4.1W). Utilizing the regression equation: y = 0.7793x + 1.5041, where x = mean 6 km time trial workload and y = MLSS workload, individual MLSS intensity can be predicted. For rowers, as the time to complete a 6 km time trial decreases, MLSS workload increases. Results suggest that training to improve MLSS workload may improve 6 km time trial performance. ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR
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