Maximal lactate steady state concentration independent of pedal cadence in active individuals

• Published in: European journal of applied physiology Vol. 96; no. 4; pp. 477 - 480
• Main Authors: Denadai, Benedito Sérgio, Ruas, Vinícius Daniel de Araújo, Figueira, Tiago Rezende
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Springer Nature B.V 01.03.2006
• Subjects: Bicycling; Humans; Lactic Acid - blood; Male; Oxygen Consumption; Physical Endurance
• ISSN: 1439-6319; 1439-6327
• DOI: 10.1007/s00421-005-0090-8

The maximal lactate steady state (MLSS) is defined as the highest blood lactate concentration that can be maintained over time without a continual blood lactate accumulation. The objective of the present study was to analyze the effects of pedal cadence (50 vs. 100 rev min(-1)) on MLSS and the exercise workload at MLSS (MLSS(workload)) during cycling. Nine recreationally active males (20.9+/-2.9 years, 73.9+/-6.5 kg, 1.79+/-0.09 m) performed an incremental maximal load test (50 and 100 rev min(-1)) to determine anaerobic threshold (AT) and peak workload (PW), and between two and four constant submaximal load tests (50 and 100 rev min(-1)) on a mechanically braked cycle ergometer to determine MLSS(workload) and MLSS. MLSS(workload) was defined as the highest workload at which blood lactate concentration did not increase by more than 1 mM between minutes 10 and 30 of the constant workload. The maximal lactate steady state intensity (MLSS(intensity)) was defined as the ratio between MLSS(workload) and PW. MLSS(workload) (186.1+/-21.2 W vs. 148.2+/-15.5 W) and MLSS(intensity) (70.5+/-5.7% vs. 61.4+/-5.1%) were significantly higher during cycling at 50 rev min(-1) than at 100 rev min(-1), respectively. However, there was no significant difference in MLSS between 50 rev min(-1) (4.8+/-1.6 mM) and 100 rev min(-1) (4.7+/-0.8 mM). We conclude that MLSS(workload) and MLSS(intensity) are dependent on pedal cadence (50 vs. 100 rev min(-1)) in recreationally active individuals. However, this study showed that MLSS is not influenced by the different pedal cadences analyzed.