A device or program employed to estimate the heart rate corresponding to the point where lactate production exceeds lactate clearance during exercise. This estimation tool typically utilizes data such as age, maximum heart rate, and resting heart rate, or may incorporate results from a graded exercise test to determine the target heart rate zone indicative of this physiological threshold. For example, using a measured or estimated maximum heart rate, an individual could input this value into a software application designed to approximate the heart rate associated with this metabolic shift.
The significance of pinpointing this specific heart rate stems from its utility in optimizing training regimens for endurance sports. Accurate determination allows for workouts to be structured in a manner that maximizes aerobic capacity and delays fatigue. Historically, precise measurement required laboratory testing, but advancements have led to more accessible methods of estimation, making threshold-based training more widely applicable. This has allowed both professional and recreational athletes to tailor their efforts and improve performance more effectively.