LACTATE EQUILIBRIUM AND AEROBIC INDICES OF ELITE RUGBY UNION PLAYERS.

Abstract

1361 Lactate kinetics during incremental exercise was investigated using a modified lactate equilibrium protocol on 30 elite rugby union players (23.25± 2.99 yrs., 97.2 ± 13.37 kg, 185.68 ± 8.34 cm; mean± S.D.). This test comprised an incremental ˙VO2max protocol, followed immediately by a 3 min incremental submaximal protocol. Blood lactate concentration ([La]) was determined from earlobe samples at the conclusion of both the ˙VO2max, and each stage of the submaximal incremental phase. Lactate equilibrium (Laeq) was defined as a plateauing of [La] during the 3 min incremental phase. This represents a balance between production and clearance of lactate. LaDEC was defined as the rate of lactate clearance during the initial stages of the 3 min protocol, veq was defined as the velocity at which equilibrium was observed and ˙VO2eq was defined as the oxygen consumption at equilibrium. TableTableSignificant correlations (p<0.05) between ˙VO2max and LaDEC (r = 0.71), between ˙VO2max and veq (r = 0.76) and between LaDEC and veq (r = 0.82) indicate that improved aerobic capacity is related to an increased capacity to clear lactate. These data suggest that aerobic capacity or training for improved aerobic capacity may improve recovery from high intensity lactate producing exercise, or that improved lactate clearance may improve ˙VO2eq.