lactate threshold and lactic acid tolerance. Aerobic training will not help with lactic acid tolerance, however, it will increase the lactate threshold. The body will build a better tolerance to the effects of lactic acid over time during training. Anaerobic training improves the muscles' alkaline reserves, allowing the muscles' ability to work in the presence of increased lactic acid. Training at or slightly above the intensity where this occurs improves the lactic acid tolerance. Measuring lactate threshold Muscles are producing lactate even at rest, usually about 1-2 mmol/L. Although the lactate threshold is defined as the point when lactic acid starts to accumulate, some testers approximate this by crossing the lactate threshold and using the point at which lactate reaches a concentration of 4 mmol/L of lactate. Accurately measuring the lactate blood concentration involves taking blood samples (normally a pinprick to the finger, earlobe or thumb) during a ramp test where the exercise intensity is progressively increased. Accuracy of blood samples Blood samples are a popular way of measuring the lactate blood concentration, however there are many factors that may affect the sample. Every individual has a different health status, thus the results from the blood lactate response can vary from factors prior to exercise such as the glycogen status of the participant and ambient temperature. “Furthermore, the lactate concentration measured may vary depending on the sampling site sweat contamination, and the accuracy of the lactate analyser.” There are many factors that may give this test a false reading; it is important that an individual takes these into consideration, to receive an accurate test. Lactate measurement of aerobic and anaerobic thresholds The aerobic threshold (AeT or AerT) is sometimes defined equivalently to the lactate threshold(LT); as the exercise intensity at which blood lactate concentrations rise above resting levels. In contrast, at the anaerobic threshold (AnT) the exercise is at an intensity beyond which blood lactate concentration is linearly related to exercise intensity, but increases with both exercise intensity and duration. The blood lactate concentration at the anaerobic threshold is called the "maximum steady-state lactate concentration" (MLSS). AeT is the exercise intensity at which anaerobic energy pathways start to operate, considered to be around 65-85% of an individual's maximum heart rate. Some have suggested this is where blood lactate reaches a concentration of 2 mmol/litre (at rest it is around 1). The anaerobic energy system increases the ability to produce blood