Steady-state acid-base response at exercise levels close to maximum lactate steady state

OBJECTIVE: To study acid-base status during a constant-load treadmill test at exercise levels close to the maximum lactate steady-state. DESIGN: Two tests were performed: one maximal and one steady-state at a load corresponding to the mean of the two ventilatory thresholds observed in the first test. SETTING: University Sports Science Laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-three male Sports Science students, aged 26.7 (+/- 4.9 SD) years, 176.1 (+/- 6.3) cm in height, and weighing 72.8 (+/- 6.7) kg. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Capillary blood gases, metabolites, electrolytes. RESULTS: Acid-base status variables declined significantly during the maximal test. Lactate concentrations were above the values observed at onset of blood lactate accumulation. All the blood variables did not vary significantly at the various experimental times, except pH values and PCO2 values. Bicarbonate concentration remained constant. Plasma potassium, chlorine and sodium concentration did not increase. CONCLUSION: During a steady-state test at a load corresponding to approximately 80% of VO2max, the acid-base status in capillary blood remained constant even though the lactate concentration was over 4 mmol/L. However, despite the maintenance of a constant acid-base status, other physiological variables did not behave in the same fashion.