Production and Removal of Lactate during Exercise in Man

Abstract Blood lactate concentration (LA) was measured in 4 female and 3 male well‐trained subjects before and during 30 min of continuous treadmill running at 4 different speeds, demanding about 30, 60, 70 and 80% of the individuals' maximal oxygen uptake (Vo 2 max). The same subjects also performed in another series of experiments where maximal intermittent exercise preceded 30 min of running at the same 4 speeds, or resting in a chair. During continuous running, starting from resting conditions, the blood LA increased only slightly up to a critical Ievel ( i.e . 60—80%) of Vo 2 ‐max. From then on, a pronounced lactate production may occur. During the maximal intermittent exercise, blood LA increased to 130—220 mg/100 ml. In the recovery period, i.e . continuous running at the same 4 speeds, or resting in a chair, blood LA decreased towards resting values. The lactate removal rate was calculated from the rectilinear part of the curves describing the changes in LA with time, and expressed as mg/100 ml X min. The lactate removal rate was higher during exercise than during rest, and increased with increasing work load up to the same critical level ( i.e . 60—80% of Vo 2 max), beyond which a reduction was observed. The highest removal rate was 8 mg lactate/100 ml x min at 63% of Vo 2 max (average values). These results indicate that human skeletal muscle possesses a pronounced capacity to oxidize lactate. Therefore, a production of lactate is possible even with no increase in the blood LA. These results also indicate that the skeletal muscle, rather than the liver, may be regarded as the main site for lactate removal during exercise.