In the world of sport, the term 'lactic acid' is often used, but do you know exactly what this term means and how it affects your performance? When is lactic acid formed and what causes so-called 'soreness' to reach the muscle fibres? In this article we take a look at lactic acid and its role in sports training.

Is there lactic acid?

Lactic acid, interchangeably known as lactate, is a chemical compound formed in muscles during intense exercise. It is a by-product of glucose metabolism under anaerobic conditions. Contrary to popular belief, lactic acid is not directly responsible for the feeling of soreness on the second day after performing a strong or overly intense workout (i.e. so-called soreness).

When does the concentration of lactic acid increase during sports exercise?

The increase in lactic acid concentration in muscles is related to the intensity of exercise. The main factor that influences its production is the lack of oxygen, i.e. anaerobic metabolism. When the intensity of exercise exceeds the ability to supply oxygen to the muscles, the body switches to anaerobic metabolism, which leads to the production of lactic acid.

How complicated is it to analyse lactic acid using blood tests?

Testing lactic acid concentration and its analysis by blood tests is a popular method for assessing athletic performance. However, performing such a test is quite complicated, requiring special equipment, knowledge and specially prepared training intervals. Blood is taken before, during, even several times and after exercise, and then tested for lactic acid concentration. This allows an assessment of how the body reacts to a given load.

Linking lactic acid concentration and muscle oxygenation levels.

An interesting aspect is the link between lactic acid concentration and muscle oxygenation levels. High lactic acid levels are directly related to low muscle oxygenation levels. Lack of sufficient oxygen in the muscles leads to the conversion of glucose into lactic acid. Therefore, monitoring tissue saturation, i.e. the level of muscle oxygenation, provides valuable information on exercise efficiency and helps to optimise training.

In summary, lactic acid is related to exercise intensity and energy production under anaerobic conditions. Analysis of this parameter provides valuable information on the performance of the body. It is also important to relate lactic acid concentration to muscle oxygenation levels, which can be monitored using Q-LAC sensors. Knowledge of these issues significantly helps to optimise training and achieve better results.