Lactate Testing Methods on High Performance Soccer Players - What, How, Why and When to Evaluate. The following is evidence from different test protocols using lactate measurements obtained from more than 5.000 professional elite soccer players. Testing and training to improve lactate threshold is one of the most common and effectively used performance markers used by many football teams and coaches. It is widely used as a fitness marker in endurance sport and football in Europe, so it's no surprise that coaches such as Klopp are incorporating these practices in the Premier League. The lactate test consists of the players running at different paces and intervals, and then at each interval, their blood is taken to determine the levels of lactic acid they have. Take a fifth blood lactate reading. Take a 5 min easy jog to cool down. Measure blood lactate every 2-3 minute during and after the cool down until the levels are back to the baseline level. Why It's 10am and the Liverpool manager has just been reunited with Van Dijk and Wijnaldum as they prepare to start the annual lactate test in the mid-morning heat. The exercise tests players' endurance levels on day one as they run circuits of a marked track on the Melwood turf at increasing speeds. As explained by EKF Diagnostics, who provide some of the equipment needed to implement the lactate test, it is used to "learn the highest intensity at which a footballer can train or compete Lactate testing samples blood from a lancet, used on the finger, earlobe, or other part of the body. Lactate testing is considered lab testing, even if it's practical and portable for field tests, simply because it is invasive. Lactate testing must be done with gloves due to the fact it's actually testing the blood of an athlete. By Rob Hoskin Published Jul 9, 2023 Milner won the lactate test every pre-season he was at Liverpool - who will take the crown this year? Liverpool have shared some footage of this season's Methods: Nine youth soccer players were tested at six different time points throughout the soccer season by sub-maximal blood lactate assessment, using an incremental treadmill protocol. Whole blood lactate concentration and heart frequency (Hf) were determined at each exercise stage. What is the lactate test? In case you are unaware, the lactate test involves running, lots and lots of it. The players are tasked with running around Kirkby at various intervals and paces, stopping regularly for blood samples to be taken from their ears which assess the levels of lactic acid. I94V6.