What type of athlete typically demonstrates differences in aerobic capacity at the anaerobic threshold?

Elite aerobic athletes are distinguished by their superior aerobic capacity, particularly at the anaerobic threshold, which is the point during exercise at which lactate starts to accumulate in the bloodstream. These athletes have undergone extensive training that enhances their cardiovascular system, muscle efficiency, and energy metabolism, allowing them to sustain higher intensities of exercise without accumulating excess lactate.

Their training adaptations, such as increased mitochondrial density and improved oxygen uptake, enable them to perform at or near their anaerobic threshold for prolonged periods. This sets them apart from recreational athletes, non-trained individuals, and power athletes, who may not have the same level of aerobic conditioning or capacity to maintain exercise at high intensities before reaching their anaerobic threshold. As a result, elite aerobic athletes exhibit significantly different components of aerobic endurance and performance compared to other categories of athletes.