Measure. Understand. Improve.
Why do training thresholds matter?
Exercise intensity is often prescribed using age-based heart rate formulas or estimated training zones. However, everyone's physiology is different. Measuring your individual training thresholds allows exercise intensity to be prescribed based on your own physiology.
As exercise intensity increases, your body's energy demands rise, resulting in predictable changes in metabolism. Two important physiological thresholds help identify these changes.
Aerobic Threshold (AeT)
The Aerobic Threshold (AeT) is the exercise intensity where your body is able to comfortably meet its energy demands predominantly through aerobic metabolism. Exercise at or below this intensity can usually be sustained for prolonged periods and often corresponds to what is commonly referred to as Zone 2 training.
At or below your Aerobic Threshold:
- Breathing remains relatively comfortable and controlled.
- Exercise can be sustained comfortably for prolonged periods.
- Your body produces energy predominantly through aerobic metabolism using a combination of fat and carbohydrate.
Training around your Aerobic Threshold helps:
- Build aerobic endurance.
- Improve cardiovascular fitness.
- Delay fatigue during prolonged exercise.
Anaerobic Threshold (AT)
The Anaerobic Threshold (AT) is the exercise intensity where blood lactate begins to rise more rapidly because it is produced faster than it can be cleared.
Above this threshold:
- Breathing becomes noticeably heavier.
- Fatigue develops more rapidly.
- Exercise can only be sustained for a relatively short period.
Training around your Anaerobic Threshold can help:
- Improve sustainable high-intensity exercise capacity.
- Guide interval and higher-intensity training.
- Monitor improvements in endurance performance.
- Track meaningful improvements in fitness, even when VO₂max changes little.
Why is this important for you?
Knowing your individual thresholds allows exercise intensity to be prescribed more precisely. This can help:
- Establish personalised heart rate training zones.
- Guide endurance and interval training.
- Optimise exercise intensity for your goals.
- Monitor improvements in fitness over time.
VO₂max testing performed at Executive Medicine can identify your individual training thresholds and help establish personalised exercise training zones.
Takeaway
Understanding your training thresholds helps ensure you're exercising at the right intensity for your goals—allowing you to train smarter, not just harder.
Measure. Understand. Improve.
VO₂ max in our assessments
Measured VO₂ max testing with a CardioCoach mask is included in the Signature and Foresight assessments. It is not included in Foundational.
Results are considered alongside the exercise response and other relevant health information, helping translate the measurement into practical, individual guidance rather than treating it as a standalone score.