Assessment of post-competition peak blood lactate in male and female master swimmers aged 40–79 years and its relationship with swimming performance

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to measure the postcompetition blood lactate concentration ([La] b ) in master swimmers of both sexes aged between 40 and 79 years in order to relate it to age and swimming performance. One hundred and eight swimmers participating in the World Master Championships were assessed for [La] b and the average rate of lactate accumulation (La';mmol l -1 s -1 ) was calculated. In addition, 77 of them were also tested for anthropometric measures. When the subjects were divided into 10-year age groups, males exhibited higher [La] b than women (factorial ANOVA, P < 0.01) and a steeper decline with ageing than female subjects. Overall, mean values (SD) of [La] b were 10.8 (2.8), 10.3 (2.0), 10.3 (1.9), 8.9 (3.2) mmol l -1 in women, and 14.2 (2.5), 12.4 (2.5), 11.0 (1.6), 8.2 (2.0) mmol l -1 in men for, respectively, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79 years' age groups. When, however, [La] b values were normalised for a ''speed index'', which takes into account swimming speed as a percentage of world record, these sex-related differences, although still present, were considerably attenuated. Furthermore, the differences in La' between males and females were larger in the 40-49 age group (0.34 vs 0.20 mmol l -1 s -1 for 50-m distance) than in the 70-79 age group (0.12 vs 0.14 mmol l -1 s -1 for 50-m distance). Different physiological factors, supported by the considered anthropometric measurements, are suggested to explain the results.

Is there an association between body temperature and serum lactate levels in hip fracture patients?

“…This is consistent with findings of other studies, which consistently show an age related decline in peak lactate levels following a physiological challenge. 24,25 The greater the challenge, the more demonstrable this effect becomes. In our study, only the combined physiological stresses of a low body temperature and a hip fracture were sufficient to show this trend.…”

“…The effect is thought to be due to a reduction in metabolically active body mass, especially a reduction in muscle mass associated with age. 25 However, it has also been found that increasing age is associated with a decline in the anaerobic metabolic apparatus and a reduction in the lactate generator, lactate dehydrogenase, in particular. 26 A less pronounced rise of lactate in response to a physiological stress may therefore be the norm for the elderly.…”

Effects of swim training on energetic and performance in women masters’ swimmers

“…With increasing age, anaerobic capacity decreases (Benelli et al, 2007;Donato et al, 2003;Reaburn & Dascombe, 2009) and the human skeletal muscle undergoes both structural and functional changes, the most striking of which are the reduction in muscle volume and muscle strength (Faulkner et al, 2007). Area of muscle mass of old individuals was found to be significantly smaller and the total number of fibers significantly fewer than those of young individuals.…”

Blood lactate level in Elite boy swimmers after lactate tolerance exercise test

“…Also, Benelli et al in 52 male swimmers aged 40-79 years suggested that the blood lactate is dependent to the intensity and distance of competition (Benelli et al, 2007). They stated that peaks of lactate were observed in distance of 100 m. Also, Kantanista reported that by increasing the speed of the treadmill, blood lactate was increased (Kantanista et al, 2016).…”

“…Generally, blood lactate was increased with exercise intensity (Aguiar et al, 2015;Benelli et al, 2007) which showed a clear transition from aerobic activity to anaerobic activity (Aguiar et al, 2015). In details, blood lactate was increased slowly at the beginning and then elicited an exponential rise during graded incremental exercise.…”