Int J Sports Med 1983; 04(4): 252-254
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1026044
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Pattern of Venous Lactate and Pyruvate after Submaximal Exercise in Athletes Training in Different Disciplines

A. K. Bhattacharya*, B. K. Panda*, P. K. Das Gupta**, A. K. De**
  • *Department of Biophysics
    **Unit of Sports Medicine and Pulmonary Physiology, Department of Physiology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
14 March 2008 (online)

Abstract

The differences in the distribution pattern of muscle fiber types between short-, middle-, and long-distance runners are well known. Since slow- and fast-twitch muscle fibers have different oxidative and glycolytic activities, lactate and pyruvate blood concentrations are expected to behave differently in athletes training in different sports disciplines after short exercise. Twenty-four well-trained athletes participated in the present study. The purpose of the investigation was to examine lactate and pyruvate blood concentrations during a 5-min treadmill exercise test at 6 km/h with a slope of 10% in short-, middle-, and long-distance runners and athletes of other disciplines (nonrunners). The highest and lowest post-exercise lactate and pyruvate levels were found in the short- and long-distance runners, respectively. In contrast to what was found in all other athletes, a decrease of the lactate-pyruvate ratio was observed in the middle-distance runners after exercise. The combination of both aerobic and anaerobic training in these athletes could account for this observation.

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