A quick pubmed search for MLSS comes up with 278 refs. Of those, I will bet you dollars to donuts that you won't come up with more than a couple (so, less than 1%) that will suggest you can see a *maximal* lactate steady state for any duration less than 15 min, and if they do, it's to validate a cool protocol that can be done in a short time frame. The effort they identify will likely correspond to around 60 min. Further, in an all out effort such as a 13 min 5 km, I doubt that you will see it. If you are determining it based on the proper definition, I'm not sure how you would know. Generally, you take the first sample 3-5 min into the test, then again at the end, typically 20 min. So, in a race (e.g. 13 min 5 km), I really don't know how you could possibly see a steady state. If so, *I* want to see the data. (I presume that's all out, unless you're riding a bike);) I would be very impressed to see someone stop 3 min into this remarkable 5 km, have a blood sample drawn (actually 2 or 3 so we have duplicate samples we can have some confidence in), then start running again, then as soon as they cross the line (presumably in first) they stop and give another blood sample (or 3). Now that I think of it, I'd really like to see that data. Impressive implementation and must be a very fast 5 km runner, likely 11:30 without the stop, eh?
From your reply to the previous post where you admit you've never seen the actual scientific definition of the concept, it's clear you misinterpret what it is. THE GREAT PREPONDERENCE of the evidence (not one or two anecdoctal reports that we have no evidence for) clearly show that the MLSS corresponds to an effort that can be maintained for about an hour. Here is a sampling:
1. Baron B, Noakes TD, Dekerle J, Moullan F, Robin S, Matran R, and Pelayo P. Why Does Exercise Terminate At The Maximal Lactate Steady State Intensity? Br J Sports Med 2007.
2. Billat LV. Interval training for performance: a scientific and empirical practice. Special recommendations for middle- and long-distance running. Part I: aerobic interval training. Sports Med 31: 13-31, 2001.
3. Billat LV. Use of blood lactate measurements for prediction of exercise performance and for control of training. Recommendations for long-distance running. Sports Med 22: 157-175, 1996.
4. Billat V, Bernard O, Pinoteau J, Petit B, and Koralsztein JP. Time to exhaustion at VO2max and lactate steady state velocity in sub elite long-distance runners. Arch Int Physiol Biochim Biophys 102: 215-219, 1994.
5. Billat V, Dalmay F, Antonini MT, and Chassain AP. A method for determining the maximal steady state of blood lactate concentration from two levels of submaximal exercise. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 69: 196-202, 1994.
6. Billat V, Gratas-Delamarche A, Monnier M, and Delamarche P. A test to approach maximal lactate steady-state in 12-year old boys and girls. Arch Physiol Biochem 103: 65-72, 1995.
7. Billat V, Sirvent P, Lepretre PM, and Koralsztein JP. Training effect on performance, substrate balance and blood lactate concentration at maximal lactate steady state in master endurance-runners. Pflugers Arch 447: 875-883, 2004.
8. Billat VL, Sirvent P, Py G, Koralsztein JP, and Mercier J. The concept of maximal lactate steady state: a bridge between biochemistry, physiology and sport science. Sports Med 33: 407-426, 2003.
9. Hawley JA, Myburgh KH, Noakes TD, and Dennis SC. Training techniques to improve fatigue resistance and enhance endurance performance. J Sports Sci 15: 325-333, 1997.
10. Laffite LP, Mille-Hamard L, Koralsztein JP, and Billat VL. The effects of interval training on oxygen pulse and performance in supra-threshold runs. Arch Physiol Biochem 111: 202-210, 2003.
11. Lepretre PM, Lopes P, Koralsztein JP, and Billat V. Fatigue responses in exercise under control of V.O2. Int J Sports Med 29: 199-205, 2008.
12. Schabort EJ, Killian SC, St Clair Gibson A, Hawley JA, and Noakes TD. Prediction of triathlon race time from laboratory testing in national triathletes. Med Sci Sports Exerc 32: 844-849, 2000.
You'll note the first is a recent study by none other than the Noakes group, and although the original poster indicated that he (Noakes) claimed there was no LT, lo and behold, by his determination of the MLSS, the subjects fatigue at.... wait for it.... 55 min. Of course you will reply that it was on a cycle ergometer, so, if you look at these reviews, you will see the concept validated using running as the exercise mode.
1. Billat LV. Interval training for performance: a scientific and empirical practice. Special recommendations for middle- and long-distance running. Part I: aerobic interval training. Sports Med 31: 13-31, 2001.
2. Billat LV. Use of blood lactate measurements for prediction of exercise performance and for control of training. Recommendations for long-distance running. Sports Med 22: 157-175, 1996.
3. Billat VL, Sirvent P, Py G, Koralsztein JP, and Mercier J. The concept of maximal lactate steady state: a bridge between biochemistry, physiology and sport science. Sports Med 33: 407-426, 2003.
**Them's the facts Jack.**
Again, if you go by the proper definitions, there really isn't any confusion. There may be some confusion in the coaching world, or the lay literature, and there may even be the rare outlier. What can we do about that though. Just because someone doesn't understand multidimensional universes, Physicists should stop talking about String Theory? Or the practicioners, astronauts who may plan to go to Mars, shouldn't be aware that there may be wormhole out there that could drop them into another universe, or bring them back home quicker?
As you point out, I've already stated I would rather talk in terms of paces, but see value in these concepts. You've clearly empirically shown there is confusion on the topic. On that we must agree.