The threshold test is an incremental test performed either on a treadmill or an exercise bike.
By measuring the patient’s heart rate and lactic acid levels during stress (measured by taking a small amount of blood from the ear lobe by pricking it with a small needle) it is possible to identify their metabolic characteristics as well as determining their aerobic and anaerobic thresholds. These tests greatly help us to create a personalised training regime.
The aerobic threshold (S2) corresponds to a relatively mild intensity of exercise, which can be maintained for a prolonged period of time. It is this type of exercise that allows us to dispose of excess body fat and improve our resistance to fatigue.
The anaerobic threshold (S4) refers to a higher intensity of exercise, above which we start to produce significantly more lactic acid than we can dispose of.
Periodic testing gives us the ability to measure changes in these parameters induced by exercise and adopt new training programs based upon the patient’s personal improvements.