Method for diagnosis and control of aerobic training in rats based on lactate threshold

We propose a protocol for determination of lactate threshold (LT) and test the validity of one aerobic training based on LT in rats. In group I, VLTi (velocity at LT before training) was determined in all rats (n=10), each rat training at its own VLTi and in group II, animals (n=7) ran at 15 m min−1, the mean VLTi of group I. The training consisted of daily runs at VLTi for 50 min, 5 days/week, for 4 weeks. In group I, this program increased VLT (VLTi 14.90±1.49 m min−1 and VLTf, after training, 22.60±1.17 m min−1) and the velocity at exhaustion (19.50±1.63 m min−1 and 27.60±1.17 m min−1). [Lactate] at LT (2.62±0.43 mmol L−1 versus 2.11±0.15 mmol L−1) and relative values of LT (76±3% versus 82±2%) stayed unaltered. In group II the VLTf was 20±1.8 m·mim−1, the [lactate] at the LT, 2.02±0.17 mmol·L−1; the exhaustion speed, 23.57±2.11 m·mim−1 and relative value of LT, 82.71±2.29%. There were no significant differences in these parameters between groups I and II. Thus, this protocol based on LT is effective and the mean VLT determined in a small number of healthy untrained rats can be used for aerobic training in a larger group of healthy animals of same gender and age.