Validation of the Shortened Dmax Method for Non-Invasive Estimation of Anaerobic Threshold: Implications for Health and Performance in Elite Wrestlers

Hormati Oughoulbaig, Amir Hossein; Farzizadeh, Reza; Afroundeh, Roghayyeh; Siahkouhian, Marefat

doi:https://doi.org/10.61186/hsm.4.4.310

Volume 4, Issue 4 (November 2025) Health Science Monitor 2025, 4(4): 310-315 | Back to browse issues page

‎ https://doi.org/10.61186/hsm.4.4.310

Mendeley

Zotero

RefWorks

Hormati Oughoulbaig A H, Farzizadeh R, Afroundeh R, Siahkouhian M. Validation of the Shortened Dmax Method for Non-Invasive Estimation of Anaerobic Threshold: Implications for Health and Performance in Elite Wrestlers. Health Science Monitor 2025; 4 (4) :310-315
URL: http://hsm.umsu.ac.ir/article-1-272-en.html

Validation of the Shortened Dmax Method for Non-Invasive Estimation of Anaerobic Threshold: Implications for Health and Performance in Elite Wrestlers

Amir Hossein Hormati Oughoulbaig ^*

, Reza Farzizadeh

, Roghayyeh Afroundeh

, Marefat Siahkouhian

Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, Mohaghegh Ardabili University, Ardabil, Iran

Abstract: (64 Views)

Background Optimizing training intensity through the accurate determination of the anaerobic threshold is essential for elite athletes, particularly wrestlers. This study aimed to evaluate the validity of the Shortened Dmax method as a non-invasive approach for identifying the heart rate deflection point (HRDP) and estimating the anaerobic threshold in young Iranian national team wrestlers.
Methods In a semi-experimental design, seventeen elite male junior wrestlers completed an incremental treadmill test using the Bruce protocol. Heart rate was continuously monitored, and blood lactate concentrations were measured before and after exercise. The HRDP was identified using the Shortened Dmax mathematical model. Regression analyses and graphical outputs were generated using Microsoft Excel.
Results The Shortened Dmax method successfully identified a clear HRDP in all participants. Blood lactate levels increased significantly following exercise, supporting the method’s consistency with established physiological indicators of anaerobic metabolism.
Conclusion The Shortened Dmax method appears to be a valid, practical, and non-invasive alternative for estimating the anaerobic threshold in wrestlers. Its application may enhance training-intensity prescription in combat sports; however, further validation using sport-specific testing protocols is recommended. This method can help prevent overtraining and support cardiovascular health monitoring in elite athletes.

Keywords: Anaerobic threshold, Exercise test, Heart rate, Lactate, Physical exertion, Wrestling

Full-Text [PDF 526 kb] (31 Downloads)

Type of Study: Research Article | Subject: Applied Biostatistics and Epidemiology
Received: 2025/10/15 | Accepted: 2025/11/9 | Published: 2025/11/19

References

1. Kissow J, Jacobsen KJ, Gunnarsson TP, Jessen S, Hostrup M. Effects of Follicular and Luteal Phase-Based Menstrual Cycle Resistance Training on Muscle Strength and Mass. Sports Med. 2022;52(12):2813-9. [DOI] [PMID]

2. Tangchaisuriya P, Chuensiri N, Tanaka H, Suksom D. Physiological Adaptations to High-Intensity Interval Training Combined with Blood Flow Restriction in Masters Road Cyclists. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2022;54(5):830-40. [DOI] [PMID]

3. Certo Pereira J, Lima MR, Moscoso Costa F, Gomes DA, Maltês S, Cunha G, et al. Stroke in Athletes with Atrial Fibrillation: A Narrative Review. Diagnostics (Basel). 2024;15(1). [DOI] [PMID] [PMCID]

4. Haley CA, Torres G, Olivier B, Van Aswegen H. Cardiorespiratory fitness response to endurance training in athletes post-COVID-19 compared to unaffected athletes. S Afr J Sports Med. 2024;36(1):v36i1a18872. [DOI] [PMID] [PMCID]

5. Grandou C, Wallace L, Impellizzeri FM, Allen NG, Coutts AJ. Overtraining in Resistance Exercise: An Exploratory Systematic Review and Methodological Appraisal of the Literature. Sports Med. 2020;50(4):815-28. [DOI] [PMID]

6. Hormati AH, Piri E, Jafarnezhadgero AA. A Review of Physiological and Biomechanical Injuries in Wrestling. Journal of Sport Biomechanics. 2023;9(2):90-111. [DOI]

7. Chen W, Feng Y, Yu M, Zhang Z, Wu J, Liu W, et al. Effects of different rehabilitation modality on cardiopulmonary function in patients with acute coronary syndrome after revascularization. Front Cardiovasc Med. 2023;10:1120665. [DOI] [PMID] [PMCID]

8. Weatherwax R, Harris N, Kilding AE, Dalleck L. Time Course Changes in Confirmed 'True' VO (2) max After Individualized and Standardized Training. Sports Med Int Open. 2019;3(2):E32-e9. [DOI] [PMID] [PMCID]

9. Afroundeh R, Hofmann P, Esmaeilzadeh S, Narimani M, Pesola AJ. Agreement between heart rate deflection point and maximal lactate steady state in young adults with different body masses. Physiol Int. 2021. [DOI] [PMID]

10. Leite MR, Ramos EMC, Kalva-Filho CA, De Alencar Silva BS, Freire A, Campos EZ, et al. Analysis of the heart rate deflection point as a tool for exercise prescription in subjects with COPD - a cross-sectional study. Physiother Theory Pract. 2020;36(12):1322-8. [DOI] [PMID]

11. Lea JWD, O'Driscoll JM, Coleman DA, Wiles JD. Validity and reliability of the 'Isometric Exercise Scale' (IES) for measuring ratings of perceived exertion during continuous isometric exercise. Sci Rep. 2021;11(1):5334. [DOI] [PMID] [PMCID]

12. Nikooie R. Determination of Anaerobic Threshold by Monitoring the O2 Pulse Changes in Endurance Cyclists. J Strength Cond Res. 2016;30(6):1700-7. [DOI] [PMID]

13. Alberton CL, Andrade LS, Pinheiro RB, Pinto SS. Anaerobic Threshold in a Water-Based Exercise: Agreement Between Heart Rate Deflection Point and Lactate Threshold Methods. J Strength Cond Res. 2021;35(9):2472-8. [DOI] [PMID]

14. Pinto SS, Brasil RM, Alberton CL, Ferreira HK, Bagatini NC, Calatayud J, et al. Noninvasive Determination of Anaerobic Threshold Based on the Heart Rate Deflection Point in Water Cycling. J Strength Cond Res. 2016;30(2):518-24. [DOI] [PMID]

15. Cheng B, Kuipers H, Snyder A, Keizer H, Jeukendrup A, Hesselink M. A new approach for the determination of ventilatory and lactate thresholds. International journal of sports medicine. 1992;13(07):518-22. [DOI] [PMID]

16. Baker KM, Fukuda DH, Church DD, MB LAM, Beyer KS, Hoffman JR, et al. Mathematical Modeling and Expression of Heart Rate Deflection Point using Heart Rate and Oxygen Consumption. Int J Exerc Sci. 2017;10(4):592-603. [DOI] [PMID] [PMCID]

17. Arsoniadis GG, Nikitakis IS, Peyrebrune M, Botonis PG, Toubekis AG. The Method but Not the Protocol Affects Lactate-Threshold Determination in Competitive Swimmers. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2024;19(10):996-1005. [DOI] [PMID]

18. Cerda-Kohler H, Burgos-Jara C, Ramírez-Campillo R, Valdés-Cerda M, Báez E, Zapata-Gómez D, et al. Analysis of Agreement Between 4 Lactate Threshold Measurements Methods in Professional Soccer Players. J Strength Cond Res. 2016;30(10):2864-70. [DOI] [PMID]

19. Lareyre F, Chaudhuri A, Flory V, Augène E, Adam C, Carrier M, et al. Automatic Measurement of Maximal Diameter of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm on Computed Tomography Angiography Using Artificial Intelligence. Ann Vasc Surg. 2022;83:202-11. [DOI] [PMID]

20. Riahi A, Kauffmann C, Therasse E, Morin-Roy F, Elkouri S, Gilbert P, et al. Clinical Validation of a Semi-Automated Software for Maximal Diameter Measurements for Endovascular Repair Follow-up. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2019;30(4):523-30. [DOI] [PMID]

21. Samsudin N, Ooi FK, Chen CK. Bone Health Status, Muscular Strength and Power, and Aerobic and Anaerobic Capacities of Malaysian Male Athletes Involved in Sports with Different Mechanical Loading on Bones. Malays J Med Sci. 2022;29(3):54-67. [DOI] [PMID] [PMCID]

22. Patel H, Vanguri P, Kumar D, Levin D. The Impact of Inadequate Sleep on Overtraining Syndrome in 18-22-Year-Old Male and Female College Athletes: A Literature Review. Cureus. 2024;16(3):e56186. [DOI]

23. Lu S, Lu C, Pan B. A089: The Relationship Between LTHR and the HRDP Based on The Dmax. International Journal of Physical Activity and Health. 2024;3(3):89. [DOI]

24. SIAH KM, ZOU AM. DETERMINATION OF ANAEROBIC THRESHOLD BY DMAX METHOD. 2006. [Google Scholar]

25. Jalali A, Abbaspoor M, Hakimi M, Ali-Mohammadi M. The Effect of 6 Weeks of Interval Training Based on Heart Rate Deflection Point (HRDP) Extracted from D-Max Method on Blood Lactate Changes, Time to Fatigue and Performance of Young Soccer Players. Journal of Sport Biosciences. 2017;9(4):573-85. [Google Scholar]

26. Jamnick N. An examination of current methods to prescribe exercise intensity: validity of different approaches and effects on cell signalling events associated with mitochondrial biogenesis: Victoria University; 2019. [Google Scholar]

27. Hofmann P, Pokan R, von Duvillard SP, Seibert FJ, Zweiker R, Schmid P. Heart rate performance curve during incremental cycle ergometer exercise in healthy young male subjects. Medicine and science in sports and exercise. 1997;29(6):762-8. [DOI] [PMID]

28. Caminal P, Sola F, Gomis P, Guasch E, Perera A, Soriano N, et al. Validity of the Polar V800 monitor for measuring heart rate variability in mountain running route conditions. European journal of applied physiology. 2018;118(3):669-77. [DOI] [PMID]

29. Chalmers S, Esterman A, Eston R, Norton K. Standardization of the Dmax method for calculating the second lactate threshold. International journal of sports physiology and performance. 2015;10(7):921-6. [DOI] [PMID]

30. Liepinsh E, Makarova E, Plakane L, Konrade I, Liepins K, Videja M, et al. Low-intensity exercise stimulates bioenergetics and increases fat oxidation in mitochondria of blood mononuclear cells from sedentary adults. Physiol Rep. 2020;8(12):e14489. [DOI]

31. Vieira SS, Lemes B, de TCdCP, R NdL, D SB, J ASJ, et al. Does Stroke Volume Increase During an Incremental Exercise? A Systematic Review. Open Cardiovasc Med J. 2016;10:57-63. [DOI] [PMID] [PMCID]

32. Hall MM, Rajasekaran S, Thomsen TW, Peterson AR. Lactate: Friend or Foe. Pm r. 2016;8(3 Suppl):S8-s15. [DOI] [PMID]

33. Mendes C, Serpa J. Revisiting lactate dynamics in cancer-a metabolic expertise or an alternative attempt to survive? J Mol Med (Berl). 2020;98(10):1397-414. [DOI] [PMID]

34. Lowery CL, 3rd, Elliott C, Cooper A, Hadden C, Sonon RN, Azadi P, et al. Cigarette Smoking-Associated Alterations in Serotonin/Adrenalin Signaling Pathways of Platelets. J Am Heart Assoc. 2017;6(5). [DOI] [PMID] [PMCID]

35. Sakamoto K, Butera MA, Zhou C, Maurizi G, Chen B, Ling L, et al. Overnutrition causes insulin resistance and metabolic disorder through increased sympathetic nervous system activity. Cell Metab. 2025;37(1):121-37.e6. [DOI] [PMID]