Metabolic implications of high intensity cycle ergometry exercise for blood lactate accumulation and clearance

The aim of this study was to investigate any differences in blood lactate accumulation following 10 and 20 s of maximal cycle ergometer exercise. Eight male subjects performed two maximal cycle ergometer sprint protocols of 10 and 20 s duration in a randomized fashion one week apart. Duplicate capillary (ear lobe) blood samples (corrected for plasma volume changes) were taken pre, and at 5 and 10 min post exercise. There were no differences recorded between peak power outputs for the 10 and 20 s exercise condition (981.3 ± 114 vs. 990 ± 96 Watts, respectively. Average power outputs were higher during the 10 s trial (620 ± 114 vs. 539 ± 96 Watts; p < 0.05). During the 10 and 20 s trial blood lactate levels measured were 1.58 ± 0.78, 4.43 ± 1.4, and 3.5 ± 1.2 mmol/L vs. 1.72 ± 0.65, 6.14 ± 2, and 5.68 ± 2.22 mmol/L for pre, 5 and 10 min recovery, respectively. Differences were found (p < 0.01) from rest to 5 and 10 min post exercise in both groups. Differences in concentration were also found between groups at both post exercise stages (p < 0.05). Results indicate significant differences in blood lactate concentrations between the protocols during (5 min) accumulation and clearance (10 min), but no significant difference in the rate of clearance. The findings also indicate that blood lactate levels are still elevated at 10 min post exercise for both experimental conditions.