Time to Exhaustion at V˙O₂max is Related to the Lactate Exchange and Removal Abilities

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationships between lactate exchange and removal abilities and the capacity to prolong exercise, as assessed by the time to exhaustion (Tlim) at a work rate corresponding to V˙O₂max (Pa_max). The individual blood lactate recovery curves obtained for 13 untrained subjects after 5 min 90 % Pa_max exercise were fitted to the biexponential time function: La(t) = La(0) + A₁(1-e^{-γ₁ × t}) + A₂(1-e^{-γ₂ × t}), where t is time into the recovery, La(0) is the arterialized lactate concentration measured at the end of the exercise, γ₁ and γ₂ are velocity constants denoting the lactate exchange and removal abilities, respectively. Tlim was positively related to γ₁ and γ₂ (r = 0.60, p < 0.05 and r = 0.56, p < 0.05, respectively) but was negatively related to La(0) (r = 0.75, p < 0.01). γ₁ was positively related to the capillary density (r = 0.69, p < 0.01) and to the number of capillaries per type I fiber area (r = 0.62, p < 0.05). It was concluded that 1) high lactate exchange and removal abilities would allow continuing a high-intensity exercise for a longer duration, and 2) a high capillary density may explain the associated high lactate exchange ability.

Key words

Exercise tolerance - fatigue - lactate kinetic - recovery

References

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