Why It Is Important To Know Lactate Levels In Athletes
I am surprised at the levels of different chemical processes that the human body can and must take on board.
Just one of these is lactate and is the final end product of the chemical processing of glucose in the body. These levels can be measured by a range of instruments including a glucose analyzer.
As glucose is brought into the body in the form of complex carbohydrates, it is processed by the liver into a more usable form called glycogen. This is then transported to the muscle cells of the body, where it is further broken down into a chemical known as pyruvate. This chemical can be directly used as energy by the cell anaerobically within the mitochondria. When the pyruvate is not absorbed by the cell, it can be diluted even more aerobically to form even more energy. Lactate is then produced chemically from whatever pyruvate is not used up. This measurement can be obtained by a blood test via a type of biochemistry analyser This can then work out how athletes use their muscles.
Blood samples of athletes, (especially swimmers), that are used for lactate analysis are taken at intervals during activity to work out how their bodies distinguish the hydrogen ions in the muscle that affect performance over time. Tired muscles and even cramping can occur in swimmers’ muscles because of changes in temperature and muscular activity. The right food intake is also vital in reducing glycogen intake in the liver, but allowing other carbohydrates to be used in its place. This can reduce levels of muscle lactate levels, reducing fatigue times and performance will increase.
For example professional footballers also have a dire need for endurance during play, since the game itself is physically demanding. The large muscles of the legs are in always moving, and may not rid themselves of the pyruvate that is going to be present after serious activity levels. As the pyruvate is used up for muscle energy, what is left that is not is turned into lactate. Problems can occur here manifested as muscle fatigue and also cramping. Use of a lactate analyser in a working laboratory can lead to determining the right diet and other beneficial changes that the athlete can make to increase endurance and lessen muscle fatigue.