The Role Of Lactic Acid In Training

What is the role of lactic acid in training? Lactic acid is a chemical compound that plays an important role in many biochemical processes, such as the fermentation of lactate.

One of the tissues of the body that produces a large amount of lactic acid is muscle tissue, when it uses carbohydrates to obtain energy. This process is known as lactic fermentation. In this article, we will discuss in detail about the lactic acid molecule.

Lactic acid production

Lactic acid is produced in the muscles when we exercise. It is produced mainly in muscle cells and red blood cells when the body breaks down carbohydrates for energy, when oxygen levels are low. Oxygen levels fall during intense exercise or when a person has an infection or disease.

In general, the main source of lactate is the breakdown of a carbohydrate called glycogen. This substance is a natural energy reserve made up of several sugar chains (glucose). Their decomposition produces a large amount of energy.

But the use of glucose requires oxygen. Therefore, this is a longer process. In demanding situations, the cells shorten this process and produce energy through fermentation. This process is less efficient, but much faster.

The role of lactic acid in training

Lactic acid and muscles

This acid is actually a fuel, not a waste product. Therefore, muscles deliberately produce lactic acid from glucose and use it for energy.

Muscle cells are able to convert glucose into lactic acid. Then, certain cellular organs, called mitochondria, absorb it and use it. Mitochondria are responsible for producing energy in cells.

Mitochondria have a characteristic protein to carry lactic acid inside them. Thus, intense training causes the mitochondria to double in volume and burn more lactic acid. As a result, the muscles will function better.

Lactic acid and training

Physical training allows cells to adapt to use more pyruvate. Therefore, they produce less dairy. When a person trains constantly, he gains muscle fibers.

The body rarely uses these fibers when the person is resting or doing simple activities. After all, many of these require rapid activation and have a reduced ability to convert pyruvate into energy. Therefore, the body converts a large amount of pyruvate into lactate.

Lactate: a very dynamic substance

When the body produces milk, it tries to penetrate other nearby muscles, blood flow and the space between muscle cells, where the concentration of lactate is lower. When lactic acid manages to enter another muscle, it can be reconverted into pyruvate to be used to obtain aerobic energy.

The heart also uses lactate as fuel. In addition, lactate can reach the liver to be converted to glucose and glycogen to resume the cycle.

Lactate can also travel quickly from one part of the body to another. There is evidence that a certain amount of lactate is converted to glycogen in muscle, without necessarily passing through the liver.

So the role of lactic acid in training is truly amazing!