Exercise Science and Coaching: Correcting Common Misunderstandings about Endurance Exercise

Abstract

Many coaches who work with endurance athletes still believe in old concepts that can no longer be considered correct. Prime amongst these are the understanding, or misunderstanding, of the concepts of maximal oxygen uptake (V̇DO₂ max), lactate threshold, training heart rate, and dehydration and fluid requirements during prolonged exercise.

Knowing the V̇DO₂ max of an athlete is not particularly useful to the coach, and the exact V̇DO₂ max value of any particular athlete can vary considerably as fitness changes. Race performance is a more useful measure on which to base training schedules.

Lactic acid production, far from being an undesirable event, is of great importance and is actually beneficial to the athlete. The lactate concentration during exercise, and the lactate turnpoint, are both widely measured. The nature of the information that these measures can provide about training and training status, however, is still based on information from the 1980s, although more current information is available and many of the original concepts have been modified.

Heart rate is often used to prescribe training intensity, but it is important to understand the limitations inherent in its use. If used correctly, it is a useful tool for the coach.

Similarly, many athletes and coaches still believe that it is necessary to maintain a high fluid intake to avoid dehydration and prevent associated collapse. These beliefs are incorrect, but modern exercise science has been able to advance the knowledge in this area and provide more accurate information.

Exercise science continues to progress and can offer much to the coach willing to accept new and changing ideas.