A lactate test is an exercise test (or trial), in which the lactate or lactic acid concentration is measured at regular intervals during exercise. A small drop of blood, obtained by a finger prick (for running tests) or an earlobe prick (for cycling tests), is sufficient to determine the lactate level. This gives us a very good picture of the degree to which you are endurance-trained and how you train. In other words: it is a way to evaluate your endurance (‘fitness’), and therefore also to see how much progress you can still make and what kind of training you need for that.

In addition to a finger or earlobe prick, other parameters are also recorded:
– heart rate (via an ECG or a heart rate monitor with chest strap),
– cadence (in the case of a cycling test),
– and speed (km/h, in the case of a running test) or power output (Watts, cycling test).

Great question! An appointment is much more than just a lactate test!

We always start with a number of questions, mainly regarding your sporting background and goals.

Only then does the actual lactate test take place. You can compare this exercise test to medical imaging (e.g. an ultrasound or X-ray) at a doctor’s when you visit for an injury: the doctor will always start with a few questions too, and the additional examination is to get a better ‘picture’ of the injury.

After an optional shower (not mandatory of course, you can also shower at home), there follows an in-depth discussion of the test results, with feedback on your sporting goals and therefore guidelines for a further training approach.

A few days later you can also expect a neat and fully typed report of the entire appointment in your inbox!

Any further questions, preferably by e-mail, are always welcome at any time!

Allow 2 hours for the entire appointment: intake, test, optional shower, and discussion.

In my opinion, it is of the utmost importance that you walk out the practice after a decent discussion of your test results and a clear view at the futire steps in your training approach. I also make it a point of honour to produce a well-written report of our discussion, which you will receive one or a few days later via email.

In my book about lactate testing you can find an example of a test report. You can click here to watch that report.

Appointments usually take place at Cardiologie Bertem (www.cardiologie-bertem.be). There we have not only a treadmill or infrastructure to perform a test on your own bike, but also a shower and ‘time and space’ to discuss the test results in peace and quiet.

If desired, the exercise test can also be combined with a cardiological examination by cardiologists Hendrik Celen, Charlien Gabriels (SKA sports medicine physician) or Maarten Pauwelyn.

Running tests on an athletics track (e.g. the Faculty of Movement and Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, also known as the ‘Sportkot’) are also possible. 

It is not necessary nor mandatory.
That said, it is recommended in the presence of one or more (cardiac) risk factors.

Note also that there is a difference between a ‘sports medical examination’ and a ‘cardiological examination’.
The former can be performed by a certified sports medicine physician, often a general practitioner with a specialisation in sports medicine. A cardiological examination can only be carried out by a heart specialist, where the heart will be examined more thoroughly than in a sports medical check-up. The latter is broader in scope: for example, the musculoskeletal system is also assessed, with a view to injury prevention. A cardiologist is, however, also qualified to issue sports medical certificates (e.g. your cycling licence).

A cardiological examination is strongly recommended in the following situations:
1/ cardiac history of the athlete (is there a known heart condition?)
2/ cardiac symptoms during/shortly after exercise (chest pain, shortness of breath or dizziness during exertion, palpitations, fainting)
3/ cardiac risk factors (smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, age >35 years)
4/ cardiac event in first-degree relatives (heart attack, cardiac arrest, sudden death)

– sports clothing in which you can run or cycle comfortably
– towel for perspiration during the test
– if desired: water bottle or flask with water (for during or after the test)
– for the cycling test in the medical office (with ECG): shoes with a flat sole for pedals with straps, and for ladies optionally a sports bra
– in case of a test on your own bike: bring a clean bike with a clean chain and your own cycling shoes + optionally your own heart rate monitor with chest strap
– in case of running tests: optionally bring your own heart rate monitor
– optionally spare clothing and shower supplies (shower available)

The day before the appointment, it is best to avoid ‘extreme’ physical exertion, to prevent you from starting the test too fatigued. By ‘extreme’ we mean exertion you are not used to, that clearly pushes you outside your comfort zone. In order to reliably assess where you stand, it is important that the test is reasonably representative.

Approach the test like a short but intensive training session: make sure you don’t start the test too hungry, but also don’t eat too much to avoid discomfort during the test.

The total cost for a first appointment is 240 EUR (incl. 21% VAT), i.e. 60 EUR/hour (incl. VAT), considering the appointment (2 hours) and the test report (2 hours).

Subsequent appointments cost 200 EUR (incl. VAT).

NOTE:
– there is no health insurance reimbursement for this type of appointment;
– the above prices exclude the costs for any additional medical examination (for which reimbursement is usually available).

Regardless of what is meant by the term ‘amateurs’ or ‘recreational athletes’, it is safe to say that a lactate test can be useful for athletes of all performance levels. 

For advanced athletes different information will emerge from a lactate test: for them it is more about ‘fine-tuning’ and peaking (performing) at the desired moment. 

For athletes with less of a training background, such a ‘sports check-up’, as we often call it, will frequently be very enlightening and provide new insights regarding their training approach in general.

For absolute beginners, an appointment with a lactate test is often ‘overkill’. There are simpler tests for them, insofar as testing endurance is even important at that stage; although with a view to measuring progress in the future it can be worthwhile. At the beginning stage, but also at later stages, a sports advice consultation (60 EUR, incl. VAT), i.e. without an additional test, is often recommended.

No!

An exercise test is not an exam. An exercise test is there to see whether you are ‘on track’, and whether we need to adjust your training approach.

If your endurance turns out to be ‘good’ on the test, that is of course great. In that case, the lesser news is often that you have limited room for additional improvement. If your cardiorespiratory fitness turns out to be not yet that strong, that is good news as well: it shows that you still have all the more room for progress. 

Both the test and the intake provide a lot of information, and in most cases the conclusions are very nuanced. Just as almost everyone has areas for improvement, everyone also deserves a sincere pat on the back!