Blood Lactate Levels Measured Using Finger Prick vs. Venous Blood Draw Methods

Abstract

Audriana Mooth, Paul Hafen, Andy Larsen, Kurtis Rosengreene, Gregory Savio, Sean Catlett, Parker Wood, Mark McKay, Pat Vehrs, FACSM. Brigham Young University, Provo, UT. (Sponsor: Pat Vehrs, FACSM) (No relationships reported) Blood lactate measurements can be a useful tool in developing endurance training programs, and is used in different settings by athletes hoping to improve their performance. In most cases, handheld blood lactate meters are the most practical way to measure blood lactate, and can take measurements from a finger prick or sample of blood drawn intravenously. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the blood lactate measurements taken from a finger prick versus an intravenous blood draw during steady-state aerobic exercise using the NOVA Lactate Plus handheld meter. METHODS: Seven male runners, ages 18-39, with a weekly training mileage of 25-60 miles and 5K run times of less than 18:25 participated in this study. Exercise testing determined lactate threshold and VO2max for all six volunteers, and maximal lactate steady-state (MLSS) was found for each participant as they completed multiple submaximal steady-state runs. An intravenous catheter positioned in the antecubital vein was used to obtain blood samples during the submaximal steady-state runs. Finger prick samples were taken simultaneously. The NOVA Lactate Plus was used to determine blood lactate levels using the intravenously drawn blood and finger prick samples. Lactate was measured twice from the intravenously drawn blood and once from the finger prick. RESULTS: The lactate values from the two samples of intravenously drawn blood were not significantly different (0.009 mmol/L; p=0.790) and were highly correlated (R=0.995). The lactate values from the finger prick blood samples were significantly different (p=0.0001) than the intravenous blood samples. On average, the lactate values measured from the finger prick samples were 1.41 mmol/L greater than the lactate values measured from the intravenous blood samples. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to intravenous blood samples, finger prick samples tend to overestimate blood lactate levels. Use caution when using lactate measurements from finger prick blood samples to develop endurance.