Lactate modeling and its application to endurance training

Abstract 1. 1. In this short review, previous studies regarding the modeling of lactate (La) response to exercise and its application to endurance training have been summarized. 2. 2. Additionally the result of a recent study by the present authors are shown. 3. 3. Several models for La response to step and ramp exercise are already proposed and deductions derived from them are used for practical purposes such as the prediction of race performance in middle-and long-distance runners as well as for construction of their training regimens. 4. 4. Only a limited number of models however have tried to quantify whole body La kinetics to exercise in humans concomitantly with describing physiological mechanisms underlying the observed phenomenon. 5. 5. In a recent study described further in this paper a 2 compartment model was used for the purpose of clarifying the current “La production vs degradation” controversy during La adaptation to training. 6. 6. It was determined from this investigation that the La metabolic clearance rate during recovery is enhanced by the endurance training. 7. 7. This is in accordance with another recent observation of an increased La metabolic clearance rate at high absolute work rates and all relative work rates during exercise.