Abstract: 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.
