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Can a lactate test be replaced by a ventilatory test? Advantages and limitations

For a long time, the lactate test was considered the reference for determining training zones for endurance athletes.


But in recent years, respiratory analysis – particularly via the ventilatory thresholds VT1 and VT2 – has established itself as a simpler, more reproducible and better-suited alternative to the field.


So, can we really replace the lactate test with a ventilatory test? Here is a clear, scientific and practical analysis.


1. Lactate vs. respiration: two measurements, two logics


The lactate test measures…

  • the accumulation of blood lactate,

  • a by-product of anaerobic metabolism,

  • via capillary sampling.


The respiratory test measures…

  • minute ventilation

  • respiratory rate

  • the dynamics of CO₂ and pH,

  • ventilatory transitions (VT1/VT2).


👉 Both approaches observe the same physiological reality , but through two different entry points.


2. Limitations of the lactate test


The lactate test is very useful… but only under controlled conditions .


The most frequent mistakes:

  • stages that are too short or too long,

  • poor capillary adhesion

  • influence of stress or diet,

  • Cardiac drift not taken into account

  • misinterpretation of the “4 mmol threshold”.


Result :

➡️ The same athlete can obtain 3 different results depending on the protocol, temperature or nutrition.


3. Why is the ventilatory test more reproducible?


Ventilatory thresholds (VT1/VT2) are based on the response of the respiratory system , which adjusts instantly to metabolic needs.


The literature (Wasserman, Poole & Jones, Dempsey) shows:

  • very high reproducibility (r > 0.90),

  • low inter-session variability,

  • increased sensitivity to changes in training.


In short:

➡️ Breathing rarely lies.

➡️ Lactate levels often fluctuate.



4. Can lactate be replaced by a breathing test?


✔ To determine training zones

→ Yes, without hesitation.

Ventilatory thresholds correspond very well to metabolic thresholds.


✔ To track progress over the weeks

→ Yes.

The movement of VT2 is an excellent marker of improvement.


✔ To calibrate the intensities on the field

→ Yes, and it's even much more practical.

No invasive equipment, no sampling, no contamination.


❌ For accurate clinical diagnosis (high-level sport + laboratory)

→ Lactate can still be useful as a supplement , especially for very detailed analyses.


5. Real-world ventilatory testing: the ZoneX advantage


Thanks to real-time analysis of ventilation and estimated CO₂, ZoneX enables:

  • to automatically detect VT1 & VT2,

  • to adapt the areas for each session ,

  • to measure ventilatory drift,

  • to visualize the actual internal load,

  • to avoid unnecessarily exceeding VT2.


It is an on-board ventilatory test, without a mask, without a laboratory, usable uphill, in time trials or in long sessions.


👉 ZoneX not only replaces the lactate test…but it allows you to repeat a ventilatory test at each outing .



6. Conclusion: Replacing lactate? Yes, and even better


  • The lactate test remains useful under laboratory conditions.

  • But for daily training, progress tracking, pacing and field analysis...


👉 The ventilatory test is more reliable, simpler and more effective.


With ZoneX, you benefit from continuous , precise, and directly usable respiratory analysis in your sessions — without a single drop of blood.



Learn more:

  • Pallarés JG, Morán-Navarro R, Ortega JF, Fernández-Elías VE, Mora-Rodríguez R. Validity and Reliability of Ventilatory and Blood Lactate Thresholds in Well-Trained Cyclists. PLoS ONE. 2016;11(9):e0163389. PLOS

  • Cerezuela-Espejo V, Courel-Ibáñez J, Morán-Navarro R, Martínez-Cava A, Pallarés JG. The Relationship Between Lactate and Ventilatory Thresholds in Runners: Validity and Reliability of Exercise Test Performance Parameters. Frontiers in Physiology. 2018. Frontiers

  • Gaskill SE, Ruby BC, Walker AJ, Sanchez OA, Serfass RC, Leon-Guereño G. Validity and reliability of combining three methods to determine ventilatory threshold. Med Sci Sports Exercise 2001. PubMed

  • van Schuyle nbergh R, Vanden Eynde B, Hespel P. Correlations Between Lactate and Ventilatory Thresholds and the Maximal Lactate Steady State in Elite Cyclists. Int J Sports Med. 2004;25(6):403-8. ResearchGate

  • Effect of training on lactate/ventilatory thresholds: a meta-analysis. (1997) – meta-analysis on the effect of training on lactate and ventilatory thresholds. Europe PMC+1

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