Purpose: This study investigated the effect of treadmill incline on wearable-derived running power output (rPO) at the lactate threshold (LT) and lactate turnpoint (LTP). Methods: Thirteen trained runners (5 females; 23 [5] y) completed 3 rPO-matched, step-incremental treadmill tests to exhaustion at fixed inclines of 0%, 5%, and 10%. Running speed was adjusted to maintain consistent rPO across conditions using standardized calculations. During each test, breath-by-breath oxygen uptake (VO2) and rPO (via Stryd power meter) were continuously measured. Blood lactate concentration was measured during the final 30 seconds of each 3-minute stage. The LT and LTP were identified from the blood lactate concentration versus rPO using 3-segment and modified-poly-Dmax fitting models, respectively. A repeated-measures analysis of variance assessed between-condition differences in LT and LTP (P < .05). Results: The VO2-rPO relationship was not different across incline conditions (P = .147). The rPO at LT did not differ between inclines (P = .454): 259 (49) W, 252 (43) W, and 249 (56) W for 0%, 5%, and 10%, respectively, nor did rPO at LTP (P = .604): 309 (58) W, 316 (59) W, and 312 (60) W for 0%, 5%, and 10%, respectively. The VO2 at LT (P = .727) and LTP (P = .470) also showed no significant differences across conditions. Conclusion: The rPO at LT and LTP in highly trained runners are consistent across treadmill inclines between 0% and 10%. These findings support the use of rPO as a metric for monitoring exercise intensity across different gradient conditions in both training and performance settings.
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