Boulder Performance Lab at Alta

What types of workouts should not be done the day of, or the day before the test?

It is best not to do any hard workouts or high intensity workouts prior to the test.  It is important to have the legs fully or close to fully recovered for a test session.  It is OK to do a lighter intensity workout,or schedule an easy day prior to the test session.

What is the typical correlation between LT heartrates for the bike and run?

Of course, if you would like to know your LT heart rates for both bike and run, it is best to do both bike and LT tests.  However, if you have done one of the tests, a guesstimation can be made on where your other LT hr will fall.  According to the published literature, the bike and run LT HR's vary between 5 and 15 bpm, with run being higher.  In the lab, we have seen the HR diffferences of 8-12 bpm.  A general rule of thumb we suggest is too add 10 bpm to your bike for your run LT HR, or subtract 10 from your run to get your bike LT HR.  If your HR is lower than normal, the difference might be 8-10, or if your HR is hisgher than typical, your difference might be 10-12.  Please remember that this is an estimate!

What's the difference between the portable lactate analyzer and the YSI analyzer?

The lab has both the Lactate Scout portable analyzer and a YSI analyzer.  Traditionally, the YSI analyzer has been used in labs to analyze the lactate levels.  However, because of the advancements in technology, and the smaller blood sample required, the newer portable analyzers are used at BPL for primary lactate analysis. 

It is important to note the technology used by YSI to detect lactate in whole blood was developed in 1975.  The Lactate Scout lactate detection technology was developed in 2003.  Of the four portable analyzers on the market, the Lactate Scout was chosen as it has the newest design (2003) and technology, and EKF GmbH, the manufacturer, has developed an excellent analysis software program to accompany the Lactate Scout.

Studies have been performed comparing the portable analayzers (Lactate Pro) with the YSI analyzer.  They are statistically identical (99.3% correlation).

 "A study was done by Serge von Duvillard of Texas A&M for the 2005 ACSM. Ten subjects completed several stages on a cycle ergometer till exhaustion. Every 3 minutes the power were increased by 30 watts. Seven of the 10 subjects completed 340 watts. Lactate readings were taken by the YSI and the Lactate Scout. The correlation between the two analyzers was 99.3%."

Realistically, the portable analyzers and the YSI both provide results within the accuracy level required by the graded LT test.  The main advantage of the portable analyzers and the Lactate Scout, and the main reason it is used at BPL, is its ability to analyze a very small blood sample (blood sample the size of a pin head).  The YSI machine requires a 25 microliter sample (a capillary tube must be used to collect the sample for the YSI, which equates to a lot of blood). 

Since 10-12 blood samples are taken, it is beneficial to use the analyzer which requires the smallest amount of blood.

I'm a higher-level endurance athlete, and I'd like to do my own specific warm-up routine prior to the tests.

The time frame provides for 10 minutes of your own warm up, and then as per the protocol, 10 minutes at the first stage level, prior to the first stage load is required (total 20 minutes).  The second10 minutes prior to the actual test allows the body lactate to stabilize, and is set by protocol.  However, for the first 10 minutes af warmup, feel free to do whatever intensity suits you.

Does BPL provide coaching services?

No.  BPL is the physiolgy lab portion of your training program.  We provide the data, which your coach (or you ,if you are self coached) will use to tailor a very specific training program to achieve your maximum potential.