The Talk Test and nasal breathing when running below and above the first lactate turnpoint

Abstract

Objective: The use of lactate and heart rate as intensity control tools may be expensive for certain populations and may lead athletes to be excessively ‘numbers fixated’. The aim of this study was to investigate if the Talk Test and/or a mouth closed ‘nose breathing’ test could serve as an effective intensity control tool and differentiate between running below and above the first lactate turn point. Conclusion: At the group level, both MCT and TT responses demarcate statistically significant and practically meaningful differences in physiological intensity and perceived exertion. However, neither the MCT nor the TT consistently differentiate between running just below and just above LT1at the individual level. They should therefore be viewed as supplementary but not sufficient tools to identify delineation in the field. Keywords: Talk Test, nasal breathing, intensity control, running