First Ventilatory Threshold (VT1): The physiological key to your endurance performance

As experts in physiology and performance, we know that endurance success lies in deeply understanding our body’s signals. Today, we’ll delve into a fundamental concept for athletes and coaches: the First Ventilatory Threshold (VT1). The First Ventilatory Threshold, or VT1, is a critical physiological point during progressive exercise. It represents the exercise intensity at which a …

Primer Umbral Ventilatorio (VT1): La clave fisiológica de tu resistencia

Como expertos en fisiología y rendimiento, sabemos que el éxito en el endurance reside en comprender a fondo las señales de nuestro cuerpo. Hoy, profundizaremos en un concepto fundamental para atletas y entrenadores: el Primer Umbral Ventilatorio (VT1). ¿Qué es el primer umbral ventilatorio (VT1)? El Primer Umbral Ventilatorio, o VT1, es un punto fisiológico crítico …

Race Pacing Starts with Physiology: Why Matching Distance to Your Thresholds Matters

Success in endurance sports isn’t just about grit—it’s about precision. One of the most overlooked performance strategies is aligning your race pacing with your ventilatory thresholds. Whether you’re targeting a 10K or a 100-miler, understanding how each race maps to your body’s internal limits is critical. That’s exactly where CHASKi steps in. CHASKi is the first wearable designed specifically for …

The Science of Breathing: How RMT Enhances Aerobic Power and Delays Fatigue

When endurance athletes hit a plateau, they often look to tweak training intensity, diet, or recovery. But one critical and often overlooked component might be holding them back: respiratory muscle function. The muscles that power our breathing—like the diaphragm and intercostals—are trainable, and targeted respiratory muscle training (RMT) can deliver measurable performance gains, even for already well-trained …

Ventilatory Thresholds vs. Lactate Thresholds: Are They Competitors or Complementary Metrics?

Ventilatory Threshold and Lactate: Complementary Metrics for Smarter Training In the world of endurance training, metrics reign supreme. From heart rate to power output, athletes rely on data to refine their training strategies and achieve peak performance. Among these metrics, ventilatory threshold (VT) and blood lactate levels stand out as two of the most insightful …

Introducción a la Respiración para Atletas de Resistencia

La investigación sugiere que los patrones de respiración controlados e intencionados pueden influir de manera significativa en los resultados deportivos. Por ejemplo, se ha demostrado que ciertas técnicas de respiración mejoran el rendimiento de resistencia al optimizar la utilización de oxígeno y retrasar la aparición de la fatiga [1]. Otros estudios documentan cómo diferentes técnicas …

HIIT vs. Sprint Intervals: How to Optimize VO₂max for Endurance Athletes

Maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max) is the cornerstone of endurance performance, and two recent studies confirm that aerobic high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is superior to sprint interval training (SIT) in improving VO₂max for both men and women. For endurance coaches and self-educated athletes, these findings offer critical insights into structuring training programs for peak performance. Key Findings From …

Unlocking Performance Gains: The Power of Personalized Training Zones with CHASKi

Understanding the science behind exercise testing and training intensity zones is key to optimizing performance for endurance athletes. At CHASKi, we emphasize the value of data-driven training based on ventilatory thresholds, and today we’ll explore why testing and threshold-based training are so impactful. We’ll also dive into a cyclist’s case study, showcasing how CHASKi helped …

Could Respiratory Rate Serve as a Superior Indicator of Physical Effort?

Metrics like heart rate, speed, and power have long been the gold standard for monitoring physical effort during exercise. However, emerging research suggests that respiratory rate (RR) could be a more reliable and insightful marker of exercise intensity. As coaches and athletes seek the most effective ways to optimize training, understanding the role of respiratory …

Knowing When to Rest: How to Avoid Overtraining by Monitoring Recovery and Respiratory Rate

Proper rest and recovery are essential components of any successful training program. At CHASKi, we believe that understanding when to take a break can help athletes avoid the pitfalls of overtraining. This post explores the principles of recovery, the differences between overreaching and overtraining, and how respiratory rate (RR) can serve as an indicator of …