Blood lactate and heart rate anaerobic thresholds at sea level and after 48 hours at moderate altitude (2,030 m) were compared in young adolescents (M = 8; F = 4; age = 14 yr). An incremental cycle ergometer task was performed to exhaustion. There were no differences in blood lactate or heart rate thresholds between altitudes. There was a strong correlation between the two thresholds at sea level but a poor relationship at altitude. Both thresholds were significantly different at both altitudes indicating they measured different attributes. Moderate altitude was associated with increased maximum blood lactate concentration. Implication: Blood lactate and heart rate thresholds are not influenced by short-term exposure to moderate altitude in adolescents.
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