ACE Health Coach Certification Practice Test

How much time should Jason spend training at intensities just below his first ventilatory threshold (VT1)?

1. 70-80%

2. 40-50%

3. 15-20%

4. 5-10%

The correct answer is: 70-80%

Training at intensities just below the first ventilatory threshold (VT1) is crucial for enhancing fitness while ensuring that one remains in a manageable and productive effort zone. The first ventilatory threshold typically represents a point during exercise intensity where breathing begins to increase noticeably, indicating a transition to more strenuous efforts. Spending 70-80% of training time at this intensity allows individuals like Jason to improve their aerobic capacity and endurance without crossing into more demanding exertion levels that might lead to fatigue or decreased performance. This range allows for optimal adaptations in the cardiovascular system while promoting fat utilization for energy, which is essential for endurance athletes. In contrast, lower percentages of training time, such as 40-50%, 15-20%, or 5-10%, may not provide sufficient stimulus for significant improvements in cardiovascular efficiency and endurance in the way that spending 70-80% does. Lower intensities might focus on recovery or very foundational aerobic work, which does not challenge the system enough to elicit the adaptations sought by training close to VT1.