Blood Lactate Concentrations using Fast Glycolysis
Comparison of Blood Lactate Concentration in Athletes vs. Non-athletes and the recovery
time
Diego Kim, Ernest Raheb, and Guadalupe Rodriguez
Department of Biological Science
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA, 92692
Humans can use all three energy systems simultaneously, but predominately use one
depending on the intensity of the physical activity. The Creatine Phosphate system and fast
glycolysis produces lactic acid in the muscles when the body is working at high intensity
exercise. When an athlete is physically trained, the speed of lactic acid removal is increased
compared to a non-athlete. We tested 5 athletes vs. 5 non-athletes for this study. Each
individual sprinted 400m and then after tested for levels of blood lactate five minutes after
using a Scout blood lactate meter and strips. We then followed up with every ten minutes
for twenty minutes took samples regarding recovery. Statistical differences were found
among non-athletes (p=0.00011), and no significance was found among the athletes (p
=0.823), which was analyzed using an ANOVA.
Introduction
Bioenergetics is composed of three energy
systems: the Creatine Phosphate system, slow
glycolysis and fast glycolysis. Humans can use all three
energy systems simultaneously, but predominately use
only one depending on the intensity of the physical
activity. The Creatine Phosphate system is an
anaerobic system that allows for maximum energy
instantly for high intense exercise, but this system only
lasts 10 seconds. Faster rates of movement heighten
cellular reliance on anaerobic glycolysis, which yield
higher blood lactate and greater fatigue (Caruso et al.,
2009).
Slow glycolysis is an aerobic system, which
takes a sufficient amount of time to produce energy,
but it is virtually an unlimited source. Fast glycolysis is
also an anaerobic system that utilizes high intensity
exercises in order to produce blood lactate, which
regenerates Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide. It is
needed for the creation of Pyruvate from Glucose,
which produces lactate. The fast oxidative fibers
fatigues faster and it is trainable to endure more blood
lactate. Blood lactate is lactic acid that appears in the
blood as a result of anaerobic metabolism when oxygen
delivery to the tissues is insufficient to support normal
metabolic demands. The average recovery of blood
lactate is approximately an hour. During supramaximal
exercise, the major pathways for ATP resynthesis are
the breakdown of Creatine Phosphate and the
degradation of muscle glycogen to lactic acid (Thomas
et al., 2004). The main objective of this experiment is
to test if athletes have a quicker blood lactate
concentration recovery than non-athletes after running
400 meters.
Materials and Methods
Two groups of five Saddleback College
students aging from 18 to 26 were tested for blood
lactate concentration and recovery. The experiment
took place at Saddleback College campus on the track
field in Mission Viejo, California, on Wednesday on
the 20th and 27th of November. Using a lancet to prick
each individual’s finger, the blood lactate concentration
was tested. The blood was wiped 2 to 3 times in order
to get an accurate blood lactate reading. It was then
transported to a 58-lactate strip and tested with a Scout
blood lactate meter. An initial lactate measurement was
taken after a warm-up was performed. A second lactate
reading was recorded 5 minutes after a 400-meter
sprint around the track at maximal heart rate intensity,
and a third and fourth measurement was taken every
ten minutes for recovery until 20 minutes of recovery.
The results were compared using a statistical
comparison of the two groups of five individuals using
ANOVA and a Bonnferroni Correction. The created
ANOVA statistics demonstrate the difference in
concentration of blood lactate in each group. The graph
compares the change in lactate concentration of each
participant. P<0.0167 (0.05/3 different runs), in some
of the non-athlete measurements, which shows there is
a statistical difference in blood lactate, therefore
rejecting the null hypothesis. The p>0.0167 in the
group of athletes, therefore we reject the hypothesis
and accept the null hypothesis.
Results
Measurements of blood lactate were taken
during exercise showing the difference of athletes vs.
non-athletes and their recovery. An ANOVA was
calculated on athletes and found p= 0.823 (p > 0.0167),
showing there is no difference and accepting the null
hypothesis. Another ANOVA was run for non-athletes
and found p=0.00011 (p<0.0167). The Bonnferroni
Correction determined no statistical difference in the
group of the athletes (p > 0.0167). The group of nonathletes had significance between the warm up vs. 400meter sprint, and the warm-up vs. 2nd recovery (p
<0.0167) (Figure 1).
A comparative analysis was performed on the
athlete group showing the mean difference from the
warm-up and the 400-meter sprint 3.02 ± 0.62 (±SEM,
n=5). The difference between the 400-meter sprint and
the 1st 10-minute recovery was 3.02 ± 0.68 (±SEM,
n=5). Lastly, the difference between the 1st 10-minute
recovery and the 2nd 10-minute recovery 0.28 ± 3.27
(±SEM, n=5).
Another comparative analysis was performed
on the non-athlete group showing the mean difference
from the warm-up and the 400-meter sprint 14.58 ±
2.39 (±SEM, n=5). The difference between the 400meter sprint and the 1st 10-minute recovery was 3.075
± 1.19 (±SEM, n=5). Lastly, the difference between
the 1st 10-minute recovery and the 2nd 10-minute
recovery was recorded 1.96 ± 0.57 (±SEM, n=5).
two groups that we were collecting from. From the
athlete’s group, we concluded that after running the
400 meter and resting their blood lactate would return
quicker to their resting state. This is due to their
exercise routine training that they partake in. These
athletes are using fast glycolysis during their sprint and
since they are used to vigorous sprinting, they do not
fatigue quickly like most would during a sprint.
The group of athletes demonstrated no significance
difference.
We initially wanted the participants to run at
maximum intensity, but the coach did not agree due to
fear of getting injured, therefore they ran at about twothirds intensity of what they normally would during a
race. Also, while they were resting after the run, we
asked that they stay sitting still for the time remaining
but they were jittery and not resting completely. Due to
these minor changes, we were not able to get the most
accurate results of each participant from that group,
which resulted in no statistical difference. The nonathlete group consisted of five individuals from the
same Biology class, and different fitness conditions.
Everything was conducted the same way as to the
athlete group to maintain consistency. After the 400
meter sprint, these individuals were very cooperative of
being at complete rest for the following measurements.
Since they were more precise with the directions, we
were able to get a statistical difference in blood lactate
concentration from this group.
The reason we tested this specific data is
because we know that athletes have higher endurance,
therefore testing to see if that is dependent on their
blood lactate concentrations and recovery time would
support the hypothesis. The fact that these athletes are
trained at a high level, we focused on the difference
between each measurement overall. Non-athlete’s
took longer to recover back to their original blood
lactate concentration due to using fast glycolysis and
having fatigued.
Literature Cited
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Figure 1. The difference in the measurements from
each time tested for athletes and non-athletes. There is
a statistical difference in the non-athlete group.
Discussion
During the collecting phase of this
experiment, we were able to see the difference in the
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