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Lactate threshold and cardio zones question

EmBer
11 months ago

Goodmorning, I bought Fr965 some months ago (I always update firmware when available), I don't remember if I did lactate threshold test at the beginning or if it was automatically detected from my previous trainings, on Connect app I can see threshold changes in last months...

1) Is it better periodically run lactate test (for more accurate value) or could I just continue only with my trainings?

Do I need specific trainings (e.g. training in zone 4/5)?

2) my current fcmax is 179, lactate threshold 159bpm and zone2  set from 60% to 70% of fcmax (fr965 reports from 108 to 125 bpm).

I noticed different user, same age, vo2max 48 (me 45), lactate threshold 166 (me 159) using Fenix 7 gets zone2 from 133 to 147 bpm.

I supposed my zone2 values would have been closer his ones... 

Are there differences in firmware/settings or just my fit is too low?

Thanks. 

  • 0 11 months ago

    1)  Yes if you want to know or test your Threshold, doing the guided test might be a good idea.  I have never had good luck with it (usually says none detected ).  It is good for tracking progress over time , similar to vo2max values.  However... as your threshold values goes up/down, likely so will your vo2max and race times!  So testing for it isn't needed.  My only decently accurate Threshold results have been when they are auto detected usually during a race or a hard steady Threshold workout.  

    Specific training for Lactate Threshold... yes, quite a few ways to train it, you will want to be producing a good amount of Lactate in this training.  So you will be training at or around your threshold pace.  Just under, at , or faster then that pace will have good training results for most people.  Should feel medium-hard... eventually feel very tough, but like you could sustain it in a 50-60minute race effort.  Just slower then that pace you'd want more time at that pace... or at Threshold pace maybe chunks of 10-20minutes... or Faster then that pace by a bit for intervals of 5-10minutes.

    2.)  Everyone's maximum heart rate is different which drastically effects HR Zone Training, even the same age/gender will be different by 20-30bpm.  They could have adjsted their zones to "what they think is right..." or based on a coaches plan....  who knows.  The more or less trained someone is and genetics will shift their Threshold as a percent of their maxHR as well as Pace.

    Watch version and how user has their settings configure will definitely effect things.

  • 0 11 months ago

    +1 on comments!

    A couple of other things:

    - Max HR affects everything on the watch. If you get a new Max HR and there is a noticeable change (2+ bpm), run a new LT test as Max HR influences the detection.

    - Wrt to zones: they can get messed up after a new Max HR value. To be safe, after a new test or auto-detection, go to the zones settings on the watch and tap reset zones. Using the standard zones is plenty good enough for most of us mortals.