Greater Relative First and Second Lactate Thresholds in Females Compared With Males: Consideration for Exercise Prescription.

PURPOSE: To investigate differences between females and males at lactate thresholds 1 (LT1) and 2 (LT2).

METHODS

Twenty-four female and twenty male participants performed an incremental cycle-ergometer test until exhaustion, where LT1 and LT2 were determined in each volunteer.

RESULTS

Power output at LT1 and LT2 was lower in females than in males (P < .001). In addition, power output relative to peak power was higher in females at LT1 and LT2 (P < .001). However, heart rate was higher in females than males at LT1 and LT2 (P = .008). Furthermore, the heart rate relative to maximal heart rate was higher in females compared with males at LT1 and LT2 (P = .002).

CONCLUSION

Females and males may be in a different metabolic situation at the same percentage of maximum. This study helps to reduce sex bias in science, and future guidelines should consider establishing exercise prescription recommendations according to sex.

CLINICAL TRIAL: NCT06104150.