As your fitness improves, LTHR may go up 6-10 beats during the year. More importantly, your speed at LTHR will improve throughout the year. Elevating LTHR is the key ingredient to a stronger triathlete. This is good news for all of you. Depending upon your fitness level, the mixture of LTHR levels and the type of LTHR workloads are varied during each training season.
Physiologists determine LTHR by administering a sub-maximal stress test.
Measuring workload, perceived exertion, ventilation and blood lactate, LTHR can be determined. I test all of my athletes using a non-invasive or field test. Testing LTHR once every three weeks in all three sports assists in training objectives and establishing heart-rate zones. These LTHR tests will be implemented into your workout program depending upon your ability and goals. Understanding your heart-rate zones creates another evaluation tool in your training routine.