Why It Is Important To Know Lactate Levels In Athletes

I am amazed at the levels of different chemical processes that the human body can and must take on board.

Lactate is just one of them and is the final end product of the chemical processing of glucose in the body. These levels can be measured by a a number of different analyzers 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 distributed and channeled 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 used up by the cell, it can be diluted even more aerobically to form greater levels of energy. The pyruvate that is not used up transforms chemically into lactate. A blood test can be used to measure this via a type of biochemistry analyser This can then identify how the muscles work in an athlete.

Blood samples of athletes, (especially swimmers), are generally taken at intervals during varying activity levels to work out how their bodies distinguish the hydrogen ions in the muscle that over time affect performance.  Muscle fatigue and even cramping can occur in swimmers’ muscles due to the temperature variants 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 significantly lessen lactate in the muscles, reducing how long they are tired and increasing performance.

People who play Soccer will also have a real requirement for endurance during play, since the game itself is physically demanding.  The large muscles of the legs are in moving constantly, 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 laboratory setting can lead to determining the right diet and other things the athlete can take on board to help boost endurance levels and to reduce tired muscles.

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