The effect of cold ambient temperature and preceding active warm-up on lactate kinetics in female cyclists and triathletes

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of cold ambient temperature on lactate kinetics with and without a preceding warm-up in female cyclists/triathletes. Seven female cyclists/triathletes participated in this study. The randomized, crossover study included 3 experimental visits that comprised the following conditions: (i) thermoneutral temperature (20 °C; NEU); (ii) cold temperature (0 °C) with no active warm-up (CNWU); and (iii) cold temperature (0 °C) with 25-min active warm-up (CWU). During each condition, participants performed a lactate threshold (LT) test followed by a time to exhaustion trial at 120% of the participant’s peak power output (PPO) as determined during prior peak oxygen consumption testing. Power output at LT with CNWU was 10.2% ± 2.6% greater than with NEU, and the effect was considered very likely small (effect size (ES) = 0.59, 95%–99% likelihood). Power output at LT with CNWU was 4.2% ± 5.4% greater than with CWU; however, the effect was likely trivial (ES = 0.25, 75%–95% likelihood). At LT, there were no significant differences between interventions groups in oxygen consumption, blood lactate concentration, heart rate, or rating of perceived exertion. Time to exhaustion at 120% at PPO was 11% longer with CNWU than with CWU (ES = 0.62, respectively), and this effect was likely small. These findings suggest that power output at LT was higher in CNWU compared with NEU. Additionally, time to exhaustion at 120% of PPO was higher in CNWU compared with CWU and no different than NEU; these differences likely result in a small improvement in performance with CNWU versus CWU and NEU.

Independent, additive and interactive effects of acute normobaric hypoxia and cold on submaximal and maximal endurance exercise

“…In C, our data show a 2.3% reduction in WL max , much lower than the 20% decrease found by Quirion et al ( 1989 ) at − 20 °C. Also WL at LT is decreased in C (-3.5%): previous research demonstrated greater WL at LT within the so defined optimal ambient temperature (from − 4 to 0 °C, if properly dressed Morrissey et al 2019 ; Sandsund et al 2012 )) if compared to higher or lower ambient temperatures. On the other hand, others claim no differences in WL at LT or VT between + 20 °C and − 14 °C (Renberg et al 2014 ; Therminarias 1992 ; Therminarias et al 1989 ) .…”

“…Similarly, Quirion et al (1989 ) found a 22% reduction in maximal WorkLoad (WL) and Oksa et al ( 2004 ) a 9% decrease in running performance time when exposed to − 20 °C if compared to + 20 °C. Concerning WL at Lactate Threshold (LT), the same distinction between moderate (> − 15 °C) and severe (< −15 °C) cold previously mentioned for O 2max should be considered: in fact, Morrissey et al ( 2019 ) found a 22% higher WL and Sandsund et al ( 2012 ) a 10% increase in running speed at LT within − 4 and 1 °C if compared to 20 °C (suggesting this as the optimal ambient temperature range for aerobic endurance performance), whereas Renberg and colleagues (2014) found no differences in PO at − 14 °C if compared to + 20 °C in women. However, no information on mechanical work variation at LT when exposed to severe cold (i.e., −20 °C) is available.…”

Revisiting the ‘Whys’ and ‘Hows’ of the Warm-Up: Are We Asking the Right Questions?

“…However, no warm-up does not mean absence of warming-up effects during the activities of the main part of the training session (as previously discussed). Counter-intuitively, the warm-up is not always clearly superior to no warm-up in terms of immediate performance enhancement for all assessed variables [ 19 , 49 , 50 ] and, even when the warm-up is superior to no warm-up, the magnitude of the effect of such improvement is sometimes small [ 8 ].…”

Chapter 1: Quantifying animal welfare preslaughter using behavioural, physiological and carcass and meat quality measures

“…In the resting state, the liver and kidneys account for disposal of around 60 and 25-30% of circulating lactate by converting lactate into glucose (Cohen and Woods, 1983). During exercise at higher ambient temperatures, lactate production may be greater (Claremont et al, 1975;Morrissey et al, 2019), but opposite effects have also been reported (Marino et al, 2001).…”