lactic threashold heart rate

As you get fitter your Max HR will fall. Your body will be capable of performing at a higher output with less stress on your heart.

Ideally we should measure your LT in watts with a power meter, but a HR reading will help you know your performance limits.

You should be training to increase your max sustainable power (power at LT) and movements in your LTHR won't show this although that won't stop us watching your speed, gearing and cadence at your LTHR for monitoring purposes.

manvell said:

I'm doing testing this week to get a rough idea of my LTHR. Two months ago I also did testing. Then my LTHR was 184 BPM. So far, this week, the test indicate my new LTHR is 179 BPM. Does this idicate a drop in performance? I feel like I am riding stronger. I know the testing that I am doing is not the most accurate, but should I be discouraged or encouraged by these results?

Unfortunately, your results do not mean anything in terms of the HR values. If you are riding "stronger" (actually nothing to do with strength) then that would be at odds with your suggestion "does this indicate a drop in performance". I assume that by riding "stronger" you are faster/fitter and therefore your performance is increased not decreased.

It is well known that HR decreases at a given power output depending on acute and chronic changes to training outside of the aspect that increased fitness will generally result in a lower HR at a given power output.

This can be demonstrated by riding with a power meter and doing two ~1-hr TTs on consecutive days. Most (all?) people will be able to do the same power both days, yet on the second day the average HR can be significantly lower -- in my case this can be as much as 10 - 15 b/min less.

Similarly, the same thing was demonstrated with the TdF riders i worked with last year -- at the same and similar power outputs their HR decreased during the TdF, but upon cessation of the TdF and a few days recovery their HR/power ratio returned to normal.

HR values become depressed during strenuous workouts that occur regularly.

ric