About lactic acid : fuel and/or burns

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Hello,

 

'The expression lactic acid, or lactate, is used most

commonly to describe the intense pain felt during exhaustive

exercise, especially short events like the 400 metres and

800 metres. To explain what it is we first have to look

briefly into how the working muscles use energy (ATP).

Actively contracting muscles obtain Adenosine Triphosphate

(ATP) from glucose stored in the blood stream and the

breakdown of glycogen stored in the muscles. Initially

pyruvic acid and small amounts of ATP are generated from the

breakdown of glucose. The pyruvic acid mixed with oxygen is

converted to carbon dioxide, water and ATP. When muscles

contract vigorously for long periods the circulatory system

begins to lose ground in delivery of oxygen. In these

conditions most of the pyruvic acid produced in the

breakdown of glucose is converted to lactic acid (LA). As

the lactate is produced in the muscles it leaks out into the

blood and is carried around the body. If this condition

continues the functioning of the body will become impaired

and the muscles will fatigue very quickly. When oxygen

becomes available the lactic acid is converted to pyruvic

acid and then into carbon dioxide, water and ATP.

 

Given that high levels of lactate will be detrimental to

performance, one of the key reasons for endurance training

is to enable the body to perform at a greater pace with a

minimal amount of lactate. This can be done by long steady

runs, which will develop the aerobic capacity by means of

capillarisation (formation of more small blood vessels, thus

enhancing oxygen transport to the muscles) and by creating

greater efficiency in the heart and lungs. If the aerobic

capacity is greater, it means there will be more oxygen

available to the working muscles and this should delay the

onset of lactic acid at a given work intensity. '

 

Excerpt from :

 

http://www.brianmac.demon.co.uk/lactic.htm

 

 

 

 

Jacques De Schryver et Linda Steven

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