Role Of Lactic Acid In An Athlete's Performance

Lactic acid is a chemical by-product of anaerobic respiration-The process in which cells produce energy without oxygen. Lactic acid is also present in the blood it’s deposited by muscles and RBCs. Some researchers suggest that lactate is an essential element at early stages of development for brain metabolism in prenatal and postnatal subjects, with lactate having higher concentrations in the body liquids and hence utilized by the brain.

The formation of lactic acid is done in industry by bacterial fermentation of Carbohydrates, or by Chemical synthesis from acetaldehyde. Lactic acid-producing bacteria can have two categories: homofermentative bacteria(Lactobacillus casei and Lactococcus lactis) and heterofermentative species(C02 and Ethanol).

Our Bodies perform robust and vigorous exercise, breathing faster as by shuttling muscles. Our body generally produces lactic when we start to do exercise at a much faster rate than the requirement of the body. Thinking Lactic acid is harmful is just a dilemma, it’s kind of beneficial for the body just like the outcome of sweat is. Lactate is used in energy drinks due to its quality as a faster-acting fuel source. The acid also serves as the glycogen replacement source in the recovery phase from an endurance activity.

Most athletes believe that lactate can be a cause of muscle fatigue by making the muscles too acidic to contract effectively. The accumulation of lactate in our muscle tissue at the time of intense exercise partially contracts the fact of depolarization. Some athletes aren’t aware that the production of lactate during exercise can be “recycled” into glucose and used further as fuel by the heart and brain. It has been found that roughly 75% of lactate produced inside the muscle cells is used in muscle contractions and only 25% leaks out into the bloodstream.

Lastly, lactate threshold testing is one such method by which we can test the availability of lactate in the body. Hence give it a try and put some precision into your training.

By: Hitanshi Arora

Content: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-does-lactic-acid-buil/