Practical
HEART RATE DEFLECTION POINT
(CONCONI TEST)
The Conconi Test is a popular field-based method used to estimate an athlete's anaerobic
threshold (AT) or lactate threshold (LT). Here's a practical overview of how to conduct the
Conconi Test:
1. Preparation:
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Ensure the athlete is adequately warmed up with a light jog or dynamic stretching to
prevent injury.
Make sure the athlete is properly hydrated and fueled before the test.
Choose an appropriate venue, such as a running track or a flat stretch of road, where the
athlete can run continuously without interruption.
2. Equipment:
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Use a reliable heart rate monitor to measure the athlete's heart rate throughout the test.
A stopwatch or timer to record time intervals during the test.
3. Protocol:
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The Conconi Test typically involves the athlete running or cycling at progressively
increasing intensities while monitoring heart rate.
Start with a comfortable warm-up pace for 5-10 minutes to prepare the athlete's
cardiovascular system.
Begin the test phase: the athlete starts running or cycling at a moderate intensity.
Increase the intensity gradually every minute or every 200 meters (for running) or every
kilometer (for cycling).
Record the athlete's heart rate at the end of each stage.
The intensity should be increased gradually until a clear upward drift in heart rate is
observed, indicating the onset of the anaerobic threshold.
The test can be terminated when the heart rate begins to increase disproportionately to the
workload or when the athlete reaches maximal exertion.
4. Data Analysis:
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Plot the heart rate against the running or cycling speed or power output.
Look for a deflection point or a nonlinear increase in heart rate relative to workload. This
deflection point is often indicative of the anaerobic threshold.
Calculate the heart rate corresponding to the anaerobic threshold, which is typically the
heart rate just before the deflection point.
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Additionally, you can calculate the speed or power output at the anaerobic threshold to
determine the athlete's training zones or pacing strategies.
5. Interpretation:
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The heart rate at the anaerobic threshold obtained from the Conconi Test provides an
estimate of the athlete's lactate threshold, which is the exercise intensity at which lactate
accumulation begins to increase exponentially.
This information can be used to prescribe training intensities, develop pacing strategies
for competitions, and monitor changes in fitness over time.
6. Follow-Up:
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After completing the test, ensure the athlete engages in a proper cool-down routine to
facilitate recovery.
Use the test results to adjust training programs, set appropriate training zones, and track
progress over time.
It's important to note that while the Conconi Test is a useful tool for estimating the anaerobic
threshold, it may not be as accurate as laboratory-based tests such as blood lactate analysis.
Therefore, it should be interpreted alongside other physiological measurements and performance
data for a comprehensive assessment of an athlete's fitness level. Additionally, individual
variability and external factors such as environmental conditions should be considered when
interpreting test results.