How to differentiate and calculate the aerobic and anaerobic threshold

At running it is usual calculate the aerobic and anaerobic threshold when defining workouts that are as effective as possible, as well as personalized for each individual and their actual physical capabilities.
When someone starts to be interested in running Existing tables are often used to start running from scratch or to achieve relatively simple goals such as completing a 5 km distance. In these types of cases and as long as a doctor approves it, general guidelines are sufficient. However, once the running it becomes a habit or there are more specific goals, it is necessary to adapt the routines and for this to establish the capacity and resistance of the individual.
The most efficient method to obtain these values ​​is a stress test including gas monitored by a cardiologist. This data in the hands of a training professional will do the rest.

What is the difference between one threshold and another

When a low intensity exercise is carried out, between light and moderate, the body will be able to generate all the energy it needs to carry it out, burning fats and carbohydrates with the help of oxygen. In other words, the aerobic fat burning threshold more effectively and therefore it is attractive to know how to stay within the limits that define it if the purpose of the exercise is that.
At the moment in which the intensity increases in the sport the system collapses, the oxygen does not arrive with the sufficient speed and the body must resort to its plan b to obtain energy with the urgency with which it needs it. In this new process, more fuel will be necessary to obtain energy, but oxygen will not intervene and lactic acid will be produced in greater quantities, producing a fatigue effect for the muscle. All of this defines the anaerobic threshold.

What the thresholds vt1 and vt2 indicate

The thresholds vt1 and vt2 or ventilatory 1 and 2 respectively (according to its acronym in English), are different ways of naming the two aforementioned processes. In this case, these are the terms used in laboratories or during stress tests, because the changes that occur between the use or not of oxygen in obtaining energy can be measured by respiration.
El vt1 would equal the aerobic threshold; Going from rest to moderate effort produces a slight increase in respiration, but this undergoes a change when the body begins to generate the lactic acid mentioned above, since the body eliminates it without problems by breathing. This change is easily observable during ventilation measurements and would define the start of the process.
When activity increases to the point of saturating the process of supplying oxygen from the lungs, there is a new tangible change that is picked up in the breath and indicates the change from one threshold to another or the passage to anaerobic (vt2).

How to calculate the aerobic and anaerobic threshold

In order to calculate both points, it is necessary to know the maximum heart rate and there is a fairly reliable formula:

207 - (0,7 x age of individual) = fcmáx.

Calculating 75% of said maximum frequency would obtain the aerobic threshold and between 85 and 90% will be the anaerobic.