Metabolic and performance‐related consequences of exercising at and slightly above MLSS

Exercising at the maximal lactate steady state (MLSS) results in increased but stable metabolic responses. We tested the hypothesis that even a slight increase above MLSS (10 W), by altering the metabolic steady?state, would reduce exercise performance capacity. Eleven trained men in our study performed: one ramp?incremental tests; two to four 30?min constant?load cycling exercise trials to determine the PO at MLSS (MLSSp), and ten watts above MLSS (MLSSp+10), which were immediately followed by a time?to?exhaustion test; and a time?to?exhaustion test with no?prior exercise. Pulmonary O2 uptake (V?O2) and blood lactate concentration ([La?]b) as well as local muscle O2 extraction ([HHb]) and muscle activity (EMG) of the vastus lateralis (VL) and rectus femoris (RF) muscles were measured during the testing sessions. When exercising at MLSSp+10, although V?O2 was stable, there was an increase in ventilatory responses and EMG activity, along with a non?stable [La?]b response (P<0.05). The [HHb] of VL muscle achieved its apex at MLSSp with no additional increase above this intensity, whereas the [HHb] of RF progressively increased during MLSSp+10 and achieved its apex during the time?to?exhaustion trials. Time?to?exhaustion performance was decreased after exercising at MLSSp (37.3±16.4%) compared to the no?prior exercise condition, and further decreased after exercising at MLSSp+10 (64.6±6.3%) (P<0.05). In summary, exercising for 30 min slightly above MLSS led to significant alterations of metabolic responses which disproportionately compromised subsequent exercise performance. Furthermore, the [HHb] signal of VL seemed to achieve a “ceiling” at the intensity of exercise associated with MLSS.