Greetings
Has anyone ever utilized lactate threshold testing models for monitoring their training? I have a copy of Jan Olbrechts book on the subject on the way from a contact in Belgium as the book is not available in the US right now. The finger stick monitors seem pretty straight forward to use as well. I am intrigued with the idea of using this tool over the winter just for the fun of it. Do any of you have any experience with this subject and/or advice. I am a master swimmer mostly prepping for OW events in the 1-3 mile distance. My son is a USA age group swimmer. We will both use the monitor if I can get him to tolerate the finger sticks.
Thanks
Spudfin
When I was on the Resident Team 10 years ago, we used it ALL the time. Sometimes we'd do test sets and get our fingers (or ears) pricked and get an instant readout of how tired we were.
For example, I would do a 2,000 LCM *** and find out how high my lactate levels were. We did this test every other month, I think. Every time, my lactate level decreased, which meant I was getting better at maintaining a good speed for that distance.
We also did it for sprinting. Used mostly to judge my rate of recovery. I'd get blood taken in the middle of the set, at the end and five minutes later to judge recovery. After a while, you don't feel the needle puncturing your skin.
I don't know how much they cost for "ordinary" people. I'm sure USA Swimming got them for a bargain. And I don't know what kind we used, but it looked like the diabetes monitors that you see on TV, only they measured lactate, not sugar.
When I was on the Resident Team 10 years ago, we used it ALL the time. Sometimes we'd do test sets and get our fingers (or ears) pricked and get an instant readout of how tired we were.
For example, I would do a 2,000 LCM *** and find out how high my lactate levels were. We did this test every other month, I think. Every time, my lactate level decreased, which meant I was getting better at maintaining a good speed for that distance.
We also did it for sprinting. Used mostly to judge my rate of recovery. I'd get blood taken in the middle of the set, at the end and five minutes later to judge recovery. After a while, you don't feel the needle puncturing your skin.
I don't know how much they cost for "ordinary" people. I'm sure USA Swimming got them for a bargain. And I don't know what kind we used, but it looked like the diabetes monitors that you see on TV, only they measured lactate, not sugar.
