Abstract
Bipedal walking is a composite task requiring integration of many control circuitries in the brain and spinal cord. The present study was carried out to verify whether an increase in blood lactate, such as that associated with a high intensity exercise, is able to significantly modify the qualitative and/or quantitative aspects of human walking. Eighteen healthy physically male participants, aged between 20 and 24 years (M = 21.8, SD = 1.22), were recruited for the study. For this purpose, the experimental protocol included the measure of blood lactate levels with the aim of assessing possible relations between lactate blood values and different aspect of walking after an exhaustive exercise. An exhaustive exercise was associated with a strong increase of blood lactate levels and produced a significant worsening in the ability to maintain the bipodalic upright posture as well as the fluidity of walking. Our results suggest that exhausting bouts impose greater challenges on postural control.
Highlights
Balance is usually described as the ability to maintain an upright position in a precise spatial orientation or to recover equilibrium after external dynamic perturbations, and it is in relation with the inertial forces acting on the body and the inertial features of his segments [1]
The present study indicated that an exhaustive exercise is associated with a strong increase of blood lactate levels and produced a significant worsening in the ability to maintain the bipodalic upright posture as well as the fluidity of walking
Changes in step width and stride duration coincided with a significant increase in blood lactate levels and appear to reflect compensations for impaired and decreased gait stability
Summary
Balance is usually described as the ability to maintain an upright position in a precise spatial orientation or to recover equilibrium after external dynamic perturbations, and it is in relation with the inertial forces acting on the body and the inertial features of his segments [1]. The somatosensory, visual, and vestibular systems are the three main systems controlling the ability to maintain an upright position, leading to the selection and execution of context-specific motor reactions [5]. The usual aptitude to close eyes during stance without loss of postural equilibrium comes from the ability of the somatosensory and vestibular perceptions to contribute adequate afferent information despite the lack of visual information. The appropriate function of the vestibular system influences the quality of body balance control, involving the motor control, spatial coordination and effects of various forces on the human body
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