The difference between OBLA and VO2 Max
Blood lactate in a trained individual begins to accumulate not only at a higher level of sub-maximal oxygen uptake but also at a higher percentage of aerobic capacity compared to someone who is untrained.

For both children and adults, training can improve point of OBLA without a subsequent increase in the VO2 max. This indicates that the OBLA and VO2 max are determined by somewhat different factors.

Factors that determine OBLA

• Muscle mass activated during exercise
• Muscle fibre type
• Capillary density
• Mitochondrial size and number
• Muscle's enzymatic and oxidative capabilities

All these play major roles in establishing the percentage of aerobic capacity that can be sustained in exercise with little lactate accumulation. The amount of muscle mass activated and the capacity of the cardiovascular system are important determining factors in achieving a high aerobic capacity.

OBLA and Endurance Performance
Two important factors influence an individuals endurance performance:

• Their maximal capacity to consume oxygen as reflected by the VO2 Max.
• Their maximal level for steady rate exercise before the point of lactate accumulation (OBLA).

Traditionally, exercise physiologists have used the VO2 Max as the yardstick to gauge one's capacity for endurance exercise. Although this measurement generally relates to exercise performance, it does not fully explain success. This is because longer-duration, high-intensity exercise is not performed at the VO2 Max. So, for men and women, the exercise intensity at the point of OBLA is often a better, more consistent and powerful predictor of performance in aerobic exercise.