An examination of the Counting Talk Test’s ability to discern individual variability in exercise-induced metabolic stress

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to determine if the counting talk test can be used to discern whether an individual is exercising above or at/below maximal lactate steady state. Twenty-two participants completed VO₂peak and counting talk test incremental step tests followed by an endurance test at 65% of work rate at VO₂peak (WR_VO2peak). The change in relative count time during endurance exercise decreased in those exercising above maximal lactate steady state only (p < .01); however, this change was less than 1 second. Despite a significant correlation during the incremental step test, large changes in counting talk test performance and blood lactate concentration occurred at different points and there was considerable inter-individual variability in counting talk test performance at a given blood lactate concentration. These results suggest that the counting talk test cannot discern whether an individual is exercising above maximal lactate steady state and that it cannot be used to accurately prescribe intensities targeting specific blood lactate concentrations.

KEYWORDS:

• Counting talk test
• maximal lactate steady state
• Onset of Blood Lactate Accumulation (OBLA)
• endurance exercise
• incremental step tests

Acknowledgments

Funding for this project was provided by the Canadian Foundation for Innovation and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.

Funding

This work was supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada; Canadian Foundation for Innovation.