Lactate and exercise performance: dont buffer
Abstract
The effect that lactate has on exercise performance is undoubtedly the most popular topic that athletes, coaches, sport scientists, as well as arm chair sports
specialists, have an opinion about. For the most part of the 1900’s lactate had a bad “rap� and was blamed for every possible problem associated with exercise
– including fatigue, muscle cramps, the stitch, post-exercise muscle soreness and ‘oxygen debt’.4 However, recent research has demonstrated that lactate is innocent on all these accounts2 and is one of the most important energy fuels in the body.2
Yet the misconceptions about lactate still exist. A few supplement companies continue to propagate the “myth� that lactate is “bad� by producing supplements that they claim buffer lactate, thereby
enhancing recovery and performance. This article will attempt to clarify the issue of whether individuals or athletes need to spend money on such supplements to
enhance their performance.
specialists, have an opinion about. For the most part of the 1900’s lactate had a bad “rap� and was blamed for every possible problem associated with exercise
– including fatigue, muscle cramps, the stitch, post-exercise muscle soreness and ‘oxygen debt’.4 However, recent research has demonstrated that lactate is innocent on all these accounts2 and is one of the most important energy fuels in the body.2
Yet the misconceptions about lactate still exist. A few supplement companies continue to propagate the “myth� that lactate is “bad� by producing supplements that they claim buffer lactate, thereby
enhancing recovery and performance. This article will attempt to clarify the issue of whether individuals or athletes need to spend money on such supplements to
enhance their performance.