What is an excellent indication of anaerobic threshold?

The anaerobic threshold (AT) is a crucial concept in exercise physiology that marks the point during intense exercise at which the body transitions from predominantly aerobic energy production to anaerobic energy production. This shift is characterized by an accumulation of lactic acid and a pronounced change in respiration and metabolic processes.

VE/VCO2, which represents the ratio of minute ventilation (VE) to carbon dioxide output (VCO2), provides an insightful measurement of efficiency in ventilation relative to carbon dioxide production during exercise. At or near the anaerobic threshold, there is a significant increase in this ratio. As the intensity of exercise increases beyond the anaerobic threshold, the body begins to produce more carbon dioxide in relation to the amount of air being ventilated, leading to a rise in the VE/VCO2 ratio. This makes it a reliable indicator of the anaerobic threshold because it reflects the balance between ventilation and metabolism when the body is under increasing stress.

While heart rate, minute ventilation, and tidal volume are all important physiological parameters during exercise, they do not specifically reflect the metabolic interplay between oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production as directly as VE/VCO2 does, especially in relation to the anaerobic threshold. Thus, VE/VCO2 serves as an excellent indicator of anaer