Les Croupiers Running Club Forum

What are your views on these devices? Could these actually be a useful new training aid?

Measuring lactate is a way of assessing how strong each system is, or how well-conditioned the athlete is at a specific point in time. No other measure provides this information. Thus, measuring lactate with an appropriate test is the best way to measure the conditioning level of an athlete during training and prior to a competitive event.

Because of this, using the right types of lactate tests periodically is the best way to know if the training of an athlete is working and will lead to an optimal performance.

http://www.lactate.com

If drawing blood frightens you check out the latest bloodless prototype lactate tester.

http://www.dcrainmaker.c...s-lactate-threshold.html

Edited by user 13 December 2014 23:36:16(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Lies, Damned Lies, & Lactic Acid! One of the most misunderstood of topics!

Hi Lyndon, for scientific types like me, this is interesting stuff. Thanks for posting!

The lactate.com devices I was already aware of but did not buy because:

1. They were quite expensive & have an associated running cost.
   
2. They are difficult to take readings with, when you are running your guts out!
   

The BSX device does look interesting as it automates everything in a similar way to a Garmin. Garmins etc. are useful for creating a 'Running Log' which competitive athletes are encouraged to do. Logging all this data is all very well but what use are you going to make of it? If you are at international/Olympic level with a professional coach, then 'Yes' there are grounds for becoming more scientific in training, to improve the last few fractions of a percent, that is the difference in winning & losing. At club level then it's interesting for geeks like me that have an interest in human sports physiology, but carries an overhead in terms of use/time/support/interpretation that most, (I would respectfully suggest), would not be interested in.

You can get a long way by 'Run like the devil', 'Hands on knees' training. Examples: Emil Zatopek, Steve Jones.

ps DCRainmaker is one of the best sports equipment review sites I've come across. Highly recommended.

I'd be interested to hear other peoples opinion on this...

Maybe try consistent training over a period of time (eg. 12 weeks) and keep a training diary logging everything from distances, times, routes, weather, sleep patterns, energy levels, race info, so you can review it and tweak or keep going?