MAXIMAL HEART-RATES AND PLASMA LACTATE CONCENTRATIONS OBSERVED IN MIDDLE-AGED MEN AND WOMEN DURING A MAXIMAL CYCLE ERGOMETER TEST

The purpose of this study was to investigate criteria for maximal effort in middle-aged men and women undertaking a maximal exercise test until they were exhausted if no measurements of oxygen uptake are made. A large group of 2164 men and 975 women, all active in sports and aged between 40 and 65 years, volunteered for a medical examination including a progressive exercise test to exhaustion on a cycle ergometer. In the 3rd min of recovery a venous blood sample was taken to determine the plasma lactate concentration ([la-]p,3min). Lactate concentration and maximal heart rate (f(c,max)) were lower in the women than in the men (P<0.001). Multiple regression analyses were performed to assess the contribution of sex to [la-]p,3min, independent of age and f(c,max). It was found that [la-]p,3min was about 2.5 mmol . l-1 lower in women than in men of the same age and f(c,max). In our population 88% of the men and 85% of the women met a combination of the following f(c,max) and [la-]p,3min criteria: f(c,max) equal to or greater than 220 minus age beats . min-1 and/or [la-]p,3min equal to or greater than 8 mmol . l-1 in the men and f(c,max). equal to or greater than 220 minus age beats . min-1 and/or [la-]p,3min equal to or greater than 5.5 mmol . l-1 in the women.