1. LACTATE INFLECTION POINT & RECOVERY
# 9

2. OBLA Onset of Blood Lactate Accumulation
At rest, everyone has lactic acid in their muscles
When exercise begins the muscular levels of lactic acid begin to rise
The level of hydrogen ions (H+) also rise
This is known as OBLA

3. Lactate Threshold Now better known as Lactate Inflection Point (LIP)
Lactic acid production is greater than lactic acid removal
At exercise intensities beyond the LIP blood lactic acid concentration increases
Beyond the lactate threshold/LIP the athlete has to stop or reduce muscular effort
Trained athletes can and should aim to increase their tolerance to lactic acid accumulation

4. Determining the LT/LIP
Scientific testing in labs (eg: AIS) is the best method
Some rough estimates are in table 2.3, p.76
Untrained athlete ~60% max HR
Trained athlete ~90% max HR

5. Determining the LT/LIP
VO2 max
Untrained athlete: LIP = ~50% VO2 max
Trained athlete: LIP = ~75-80% VO2max

7. LIP & Fatigue
Exercise intensities beyond the LIP are associated with fatigue
The greater the exercise intensity above the inflection point, the more rapid the fatigue
This fatigue is generally considered to be a consequence of a greater reliance on the anaerobic systems to supply the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and the resultant accumulation of the by-products of anaerobic metabolism
Lactic acid and hydrogen ions

8. Lactic Acid Removal/Recovery
When lactic acid builds up an active recovery is best
Keep moving and keep HR slightly elevated
This keeps blood flow higher to help break down lactic acid
Lactic acid  pyruvic acid  ATP (Kreb’s cycle)
Lactic acid is now thought to have some positive effect on performance
When oxygen is available it can help to produce ATP