FaCT Performance Testing Leading Science and Technology for Sport Performance from Endurance Sport Experts

The FaCT protocol, known as the gold standard of performance testing for endurance athletes, gives us more information about what the weakest link is in your current fitness level and where you may benefit from spending your valuable training time.The FACT test determines the heart rate at the point just before you start to steadily accumulate lactate; this is the Lactate Balance Point, which is used to set up your training zones and the corresponding speed and power. With appropriate training, your Lactate Balance Point, heart rate and power will change over time. Blood lactate needs to be periodically checked and re-evaluated to ensure that you are training and racing at the optimal heart rates, power levels or speeds.

Lactate is a by-product of the incomplete breakdown of carbohydrates in the muscle cell. The changing level of lactate in your blood stream, at different heart rates, is an indicator of the system that your body is using to fuel itself. These changing levels of lactate in the system help us to determine the proper zones for each athlete to perform different types of workouts (recovery, endurance, tempo etc).

Using the FaCT protocol, the blood lactate test may be performed on a bike for cyclists or on a treadmill for running athletes. Athletes of all level can benefit from a lactate testing to increase the effectiveness of their training.