The blood lactate concentration responses in a real indoor sport climbing competition

Abstract

Summary Introduction This study analyzed the blood lactate concentration responses of elite climbers in a real competitive situation. Summary of facts Data were collected at Sao Paulo Sport Climbing Championship, Brazil. The eight finalists climbers (29.1 ± 3 years, climbing experience: 11.1 ± 3.5 years, climbing level: 8A–8B on the French scale) had their blood lactate concentration analyzed pre-competition and at the first, third, fifth and seventh minutes of recovery post-semifinal and post-final routes. The blood lactate concentration increased by 133% from pre-competition to post-semifinal route (effect size = 4.3, confidence interval = 4–4.7) and 191% from pre-competition to post-final route (effect size = 6.2, confidence interval = 5.9–6.6). We also observed a 25% increase in blood lactate concentration from post-semifinal to post-final routes (effect size = 1.4, confidence interval = 0.86–1.9). Conclusion The blood lactate concentrations increases observed in the current study were substantially higher than reported in literature, which suggests that climbers increase their reliance on the anaerobic lactic energy system as the climbing routes increase in difficulty and this is exacerbated in a competitive situation.