Sports Testing

So hard should or slow should you be training? How can you really be certain? There are various formulas available that will supposedly calculate your Heart Rate Training Intensities. These are often based on poor research or through using none athletic individuals.

Sports scientists and coaches have for many years used a Blood Lactate Test to determine an individuals training intensities

So what is a Lactate Test?

The test involves running on a treadmill. Your running speed is linked to your current 10k running pace and the good news is that you will not have to run to exhaustion, as with some tests.

You will start by running quite slowly and every three minutes a small blood sample will be taken from your ear lobe. The treadmill speed will be then increased by around 1 kmph, for a further three minutes. This will happen five or six times. Based on the amount of lactate present in your blood it is possible to determine your heart rate training intensities. A full training Intensity prescription, with an explanation, will be provided for you to take away.

What do you need to do?

You will need to book your lactate test in advance and then follow these straightforward guidelines, prior to your test:

- Take two easy days training, ensuring that you have not raced in the last seven days or have been ill in the last of couple of weeks

- Avoid alcohol in the last few days prior to the test

- On the day your last meal should be 3 - 4 hours prior to the test and do not consume any caffeine (tea, coffee and fizzy drinks).

If you would like to know more then please feel free to complete the contact form and we will get back to you as soon as we can.