Professional
Technical
IVT
anaerobic threshold
The exercise intensity at which lactate begins to accumulate in the blood, indicating the transition from aerobic to anaerobic metabolism.
Full Definition
The anaerobic threshold represents the point during incremental exercise where the body's oxygen demand exceeds supply, leading to increased reliance on anaerobic metabolism and lactate accumulation. In cardiac rehabilitation, this threshold is used to establish safe and effective exercise intensities, typically corresponding to 50-70% of VO2 peak. Identifying the anaerobic threshold helps prevent excessive metabolic stress while optimizing training benefits for cardiac patients.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from angina threshold, which refers to onset of chest pain during exercise.
In Context
- "Exercise intensity was prescribed below the patient's anaerobic threshold to ensure aerobic training adaptation." — Exercise prescription documentation
- "The anaerobic threshold occurred at 4.2 METs, indicating moderate functional impairment." — Cardiopulmonary exercise test interpretation
Also known as
lactate threshold
ventilatory threshold
AT
Contrasted with
aerobic threshold
Don't confuse with
angina threshold
ischemic threshold