Skip to main content
Log in

Summary

Post-exercise blood lactate levels were studied after a short exhaustive bicycle ride in 3 males at sea level control, at altitude (2300 m) and on return to sea level. The short exhaustive bicycle ride was performed at a work rate of 2730 kpm · min−1 and ride times ranged from 55 to 105 sec. Compared to sea level controls, performance time of the tests at altitude were of similar intensity and duration. Although the changes were small, the oxygen uptakes during the ride and oxygen debts following the rides increased with each test. However, in comparison with sea level controls the blood lactate concentrations were reduced. The reduction on the average reached 44% after 4 days at altitude, and 51% after 22 days at altitude. This reduction in blood lactate concentration of the same subject at altitude as compared with his sea level values may indicate a decrease in the activity of the glycolytic pathway relative to the activity of the aerobic pathway. This appears to be a contradiction to what would be expected in the mild hypoxic conditions present at altitude.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Anthony, A., Ackerman, E., Strother, F. K.: Effects of altitude acclimatization on rat myoglobin. Changes in myoglobin content of skeletal and cardiac muscle. Amer. J. Physiol.196, 512–519 (1959).

    Google Scholar 

  2. Balke, B., Nagle, F. J., Daniels, J.: Altitude and maximum performance in work and sports activities. J. Amer. med. Ass.194, 646–649 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  3. Barker, S. B., Summerson, W. H.: The colorimetric determination of lactic acid in biological material. J. biol. Chem.138, 535–554 (1941).

    Google Scholar 

  4. Christensen, E. H., Hedman, R., Saltin, B.: Intermittent and continuous running. Acta physiol. scand.50, 209–286 (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  5. Cunningham, D. A., Faulkner, J. A.: The effect of training on aerobic and anaerobic metabolism during a short exhaustive run. Med. Sci. Sport.1, 65–69 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  6. Dill, D. B.: Physiological adjustments to altitude changes. J. Amer. med. Ass.205, 747–753 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  7. Edwards, H. T.: Lactic acid in rest and work at high altitude. Amer. J. Physiol.116, 367–375 (1936).

    Google Scholar 

  8. Ekblom, B., Astrand, P. O., Saltin, B., Stenberg, J., Wallstrom, B.: Effect of training on circulatory response to exercise. J. appl. Physiol.24, 518–528 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  9. Faulkner, J. A., Daniels, J. T., Balke, E.: Effects of training at moderate altitude on physical performance capacity. J. appl. Physiol.23, 85–89 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  10. Hurtado, A.: Animals in high altitudes: Resident man, p. 843–860. In D. B. Dill, E. F. Adolph and C. G. Wilker (editors), Adaptation to the environment. Handbook of Physiology, Section 4. American Physiological Society, Washington D.C. (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  11. — Rotta, A., Merino, C., Pons, J.: Studies of myohemoglobin at high altitudes. Amer. J. med. Sci.194, 708–713 (1937).

    Google Scholar 

  12. Hansen, J. E., Stelter, G. P., Vogel, J. A.: Arterial pyruvate, lactate, PH, and PCO2 during work at sea level and high altitude. J. appl. Physiol.23, 523–530 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  13. Murray, R. H., Shropshire, S., Thompson, L.: Attempted acclimatization by vigorous exercise during periodic exposure to simulated altitude. J. Sports Med.8, 135–142 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  14. Piiper, J., Cerretelli, P., Cuttica, F., Mangili, F.: Energy metabolism and circulation in dogs exercising in hypoxia. J. appl. Physiol.21, 1143–1149 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  15. Reynafarje, B., Velasquez, T.: Metabolic and physiological aspects of exercise at high altitude. I. Kinetics of blood lactate, oxygen consumption and oxygen debt during exercise and recovery breathing air. Fed. Proc.25, 1397–1399 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  16. —, Myoglobin content and enzymatic activity of muscle and altitude adaptation. J. appl. Physiol.17, 301–305 (1962).

    Google Scholar 

  17. Robinson, S., Robinson, D. L., Mountjoy, R. J., Ballard, R. W.: Influence of fatigue on the efficiency of men during exhausting runs. J. appl. Physiol.12, 196–201 (1958).

    Google Scholar 

  18. Stickney, J. C., Van Liere, E. J.: Acclimatization to low oxygen tension. Physiol. Rev.33, 13–34 (1953).

    Google Scholar 

  19. Tappan, D. V., Reynafarje, B.: Tissue pigment manifestations of adaptation to high altitude. Amer. J. Physiol.190, 99–103 (1957).

    Google Scholar 

  20. — —: Potter, V. R., Hurtado, A.: Alterations in enzymes and metabolites resulting from adaptation to low oxygen tension. Amer. J. Physiol.190, 93–98 (1957).

    Google Scholar 

  21. Velasquez, T., Reynafarje, B.: Metabolic and physiological aspects of exercise at high altitude. II. Response of Natives to different levels of work load breathing air and various oxygen mixtures. Fed. Proc.25, 1400–1402 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  22. Welch, H. G., Stainsby, W. N.: Oxygen debt in contracting dog skeletal muscle in situ. Resp. Physiol.3, 229–242 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Work done while at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.

This study was supported in part by a grant from the Fitness and Amateur Sport Directorate, Ottawa, Canada.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Cunningham, D.A., Magel, J.R. The effect of moderate altitude on post-exercise blood lactate. Int. Z. Angew. Physiol. Einschl. Arbeitsphysiol. 29, 94–100 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00695712

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00695712

Key-Words

Navigation