Snyder, A. C., & Naik, J. (1998). Relationship of HLa:RPE to percent oxygen uptake. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 30(5), Supplement abstract 624.

The ratio of blood lactate concentration to rating of perceived exertion (HLa:RPE x 100) has been proposed as a simple method of assessing training adaptations as well as a possible means of detecting overtraining. For example, during overtraining blood lactate is lower at a given workload for the same RPE but it rises during restoration.

Healthy Ss (N = 39) performed a maximal incremental cycle ergometer task. A subgroup (N = 12) then trained for four weeks over which the workload volume was increased by 150%.

It was found that HLa:RPE responded similarly to that reported in previous investigations when expressed relative to VO2max. The ratio remained below unity during normal training as well as during overtraining. The index appears to not be as useful as first thought and depends upon each individual's baseline level.

Implication. The HLa:RPE index should only be related to an athlete's baseline level. There is no simple standard, such as unity, for its interpretation.

Return to Table of Contents for this issue.