melkesyreterskelen

Melkesyreterskelen, also known as the lactate threshold, is a concept in exercise physiology that refers to the exercise intensity at which lactic acid begins to accumulate in the blood at a faster rate than it can be cleared. This accumulation leads to an increase in blood lactate concentration. It is often considered a crucial marker of aerobic fitness and endurance performance.

During moderate-intensity exercise, the body primarily uses aerobic metabolism, which produces energy with minimal lactic acid. As exercise intensity increases, the demand for energy exceeds the capacity of aerobic metabolism, and anaerobic glycolysis becomes more significant. This process produces lactic acid as a byproduct. Initially, the body can buffer and clear this lactic acid, but beyond the lactate threshold, the production rate surpasses the clearance rate, resulting in a noticeable rise in blood lactate levels.

Determining the melkesyreterskelen typically involves monitoring blood lactate concentrations during a graded exercise test. The point at which lactate begins to rise sharply is considered the threshold. A higher lactate threshold indicates that an individual can sustain a higher exercise intensity for a longer duration before significant fatigue sets in, making it a valuable metric for athletes and coaches. Training aimed at improving the lactate threshold often involves high-intensity interval training or tempo runs.