HIGH AND LOW LACTIC ACIDOSIS TRAINING: EFFECTS UPON AEROBIC AND ANAEROBIC PERFORMANCE

Abstract

932 In order to investigate the physiological effects of two kinds of training, eight volunteers were divided into two groups after undergoing four weeks of similar training. Those in the high acidosis training group performed three training sessions per week that elicited blood lactate concentration ([lac]) of 10 mM or more. Those in the low acidosis group maintained [lac] below 6 mM in their three specialized sessions. Before and after the 4-wk training program, participants were tested and the following data were obtained: (1) time for an all-out 3000-m race, (2) 4 mM [lac] threshold, determined by interpolation between velocity and [lac] in two 1200-m runs, (3) steady state heart rate, determined during running at 200 m·min-1, (4) [lac] and mean velocity in 5 x 30-m sprints, (5) [lac] and mean velocity in a 60-m sprint, and (6) [lac] and mean velocity in a 300-m sprint. After training, the low acidosis training group showed anaerobic gains, with a higher 300-m velocity, and also aerobic improvement, with a lower heart rate during the run at 200 m·min-1 and a nonsignificantly faster 3000-m velocity. The high acidosis training group also showed anaerobic gains, with higher velocity and [lac] in the 300-m sprint. However, their aerobic performance was compromised, as evidenced by a lower velocity in the 3000-m run and a higher heart rate in the run at 200 m·min-1. It is concluded that high acidosis training may have negative consequences on aerobic fitness. The mechanism of this effect is not clear. Repeated bouts of high acidosis exercise may attenuate aerobic adaptations or may directly affect oxygen utilization.