Post by Fit Lee on Feb 2, 2011 15:15:27 GMT -5
Lactic acid, also known as milk acid or 2-hydroxypropanoic acid, it is formed by the body as well as exists in some foods. In the body, lactic acid develops generally in conjunction with exercise. As for foods, lactic acid exists in certain milk products, like yogurt, as well as some processed foods like some breads and beers.
Where does lactic acid come from during vigorous exercise?
When we perform exercise and exert our muscles, the breathing becomes faster and the working muscles require more oxygen and energy. The energy that the body produces is usually through oxygen but in some cases the energy production needs to be far more and quicker than the way the body gets the oxygen. In such cases, the body produces energy without oxygen through a process called glucolysis. In this process glucose gets broken down into pyruvate and when the body is short on oxygen due to exertion, pyruvate gets converted into lactate which allows the glucose to break down and produce energy. This production of the lactic acid is only temporary.
During Exercise Lactic acid plays a significant role in causing fatigue and makes the muscles sore. However, it quickens the metabolism of the body and acts as a useful energy source.
What is the difference between anaerobic and aerobic respiration?
Aerobic respiration is where energy is made using oxygen. This happens in activities such as running a marathon.
Anaerobic respiration is where energy is made in the absence of oxygen. It's only a short term way of producing energy quickly i.e during a 10 sec sprint.
Why is lactic acid formed even when the athlete is breathing oxygen?
Lactic acid fermentation, as you probably know, is the product of anaerobic respiration in the muscles and other parts of the body. This typically occurs during exercise. Now, as you've implied, it is probably true that people don't stop breathing so there is oxygen entering the body but not enough to sustain intense exercise. Anaerobic respiration and lactic acid fermentation is a fast and efficient way of getting energy to the muscles, even if the consequence is lactic acid build up and a lower amount of ATP. If the muscles and other parts of the body need the energy fast, lactic acid fermentation is the key.
How is lactic acid buildup dealt with by the body?
Lactic acid does not exist as an acid in the body: it exists in another form called “lactate”, and it is this that is actually measured in the blood when “lactic acid” concentration is determined, as is done from time to time. This distinction is important not only for the sake of correctness, but more importantly, because lactate and lactic acid would have different physiological effects.
The greatest myth is that lactic acid is the cause of the stiffness felt after an event such as a marathon. Stiffness is due mostly to damage to the muscle, and not an accumulation of lactic acid or lactic acid crystals in the muscle.
Another misconception is that lactate is responsible for acidifying the blood, thereby causing fatigue. To the contrary, lactate is actually an important fuel that is used by the muscles during prolonged exercise. Lactate released from the muscle is converted in the liver to glucose, which is then used as an energy source. So rather than cause fatigue, it actually helps to delay a possible lowering of blood glucose concentration, a condition called hypoglycemia, and which will cause a runner to feel weak and fatigued if it occurs."
Does gender and body size affect accumulation of lactic acid?
The accumulation of lactic acid does not depend on gender and body size, but on the intensity or amount of exercise completed. It also depends on how fast body tissues absorbs lactic acid as it is being produced. If you are talking about lactic acid in foods it mainly depends on what type of food you are consuming.Some of these foods include sour milk, molasses, various fruits, and wines. So basically gender and size do not affect the accumulation of lactic acid.
What role does the athlete's cardiovascular fitness play in lactic acid buildup?
The heart is also a muscle, so likewise the heart, with endurance exercise develops the ability to clear out lactic acid from the heart muscles
The thing to remember is the difference between nonarobic exercise and aerobic exercise. Nonarobic or better expressed as anarobic exercise makes muscles bigger. Aerobic exercise does not make muscles bigger, it only gives muscles the ability to function longer. That's why you can have a skinny 130 lb marathon runner run for over 2 hrs at an incredible pace and a 280 lb weightlifter with rippling muscles gasp for air after running a half block. But of course the weight lifter can perhaps benchpress 600 lbs and the marathon runner may not be able to bench press 90 lbs.
What are the physiological factors that may alter the amount of lactic acid accumulation in the same athlete?
Lactic acid is a byproduct of energy use in the muscle fibers...the failure to get rid of this results in a cramp or weakness. Total removal is not even on the table but by improving the circulation thereby improving the oxygen flow to the cells the lactic acid can be reduced.. the old statement "No pain No gain" applies here....the second most important thing i could mention is a rich supply of K..potassium for the key lock mechanism to unload the lactic acid from the cells..If one could see a muscle contract you would see a set of fingers that much like your own interlock when lactic acid buildup hold the fibers in we have a cramp .Cardiac and smooth muscle cells both act alike but are morphologically different. Take your potassium tabs get plenty of rest and exercise regularly.
I HAD TO RESEARCH THIS FOR SCHOOL AND FIGURED IT WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL TO SHARE WITH EVERYONE! YOU LIVE YOU LEARN! ENJOY!
Where does lactic acid come from during vigorous exercise?
When we perform exercise and exert our muscles, the breathing becomes faster and the working muscles require more oxygen and energy. The energy that the body produces is usually through oxygen but in some cases the energy production needs to be far more and quicker than the way the body gets the oxygen. In such cases, the body produces energy without oxygen through a process called glucolysis. In this process glucose gets broken down into pyruvate and when the body is short on oxygen due to exertion, pyruvate gets converted into lactate which allows the glucose to break down and produce energy. This production of the lactic acid is only temporary.
During Exercise Lactic acid plays a significant role in causing fatigue and makes the muscles sore. However, it quickens the metabolism of the body and acts as a useful energy source.
What is the difference between anaerobic and aerobic respiration?
Aerobic respiration is where energy is made using oxygen. This happens in activities such as running a marathon.
Anaerobic respiration is where energy is made in the absence of oxygen. It's only a short term way of producing energy quickly i.e during a 10 sec sprint.
Why is lactic acid formed even when the athlete is breathing oxygen?
Lactic acid fermentation, as you probably know, is the product of anaerobic respiration in the muscles and other parts of the body. This typically occurs during exercise. Now, as you've implied, it is probably true that people don't stop breathing so there is oxygen entering the body but not enough to sustain intense exercise. Anaerobic respiration and lactic acid fermentation is a fast and efficient way of getting energy to the muscles, even if the consequence is lactic acid build up and a lower amount of ATP. If the muscles and other parts of the body need the energy fast, lactic acid fermentation is the key.
How is lactic acid buildup dealt with by the body?
Lactic acid does not exist as an acid in the body: it exists in another form called “lactate”, and it is this that is actually measured in the blood when “lactic acid” concentration is determined, as is done from time to time. This distinction is important not only for the sake of correctness, but more importantly, because lactate and lactic acid would have different physiological effects.
The greatest myth is that lactic acid is the cause of the stiffness felt after an event such as a marathon. Stiffness is due mostly to damage to the muscle, and not an accumulation of lactic acid or lactic acid crystals in the muscle.
Another misconception is that lactate is responsible for acidifying the blood, thereby causing fatigue. To the contrary, lactate is actually an important fuel that is used by the muscles during prolonged exercise. Lactate released from the muscle is converted in the liver to glucose, which is then used as an energy source. So rather than cause fatigue, it actually helps to delay a possible lowering of blood glucose concentration, a condition called hypoglycemia, and which will cause a runner to feel weak and fatigued if it occurs."
Does gender and body size affect accumulation of lactic acid?
The accumulation of lactic acid does not depend on gender and body size, but on the intensity or amount of exercise completed. It also depends on how fast body tissues absorbs lactic acid as it is being produced. If you are talking about lactic acid in foods it mainly depends on what type of food you are consuming.Some of these foods include sour milk, molasses, various fruits, and wines. So basically gender and size do not affect the accumulation of lactic acid.
What role does the athlete's cardiovascular fitness play in lactic acid buildup?
The heart is also a muscle, so likewise the heart, with endurance exercise develops the ability to clear out lactic acid from the heart muscles
The thing to remember is the difference between nonarobic exercise and aerobic exercise. Nonarobic or better expressed as anarobic exercise makes muscles bigger. Aerobic exercise does not make muscles bigger, it only gives muscles the ability to function longer. That's why you can have a skinny 130 lb marathon runner run for over 2 hrs at an incredible pace and a 280 lb weightlifter with rippling muscles gasp for air after running a half block. But of course the weight lifter can perhaps benchpress 600 lbs and the marathon runner may not be able to bench press 90 lbs.
What are the physiological factors that may alter the amount of lactic acid accumulation in the same athlete?
Lactic acid is a byproduct of energy use in the muscle fibers...the failure to get rid of this results in a cramp or weakness. Total removal is not even on the table but by improving the circulation thereby improving the oxygen flow to the cells the lactic acid can be reduced.. the old statement "No pain No gain" applies here....the second most important thing i could mention is a rich supply of K..potassium for the key lock mechanism to unload the lactic acid from the cells..If one could see a muscle contract you would see a set of fingers that much like your own interlock when lactic acid buildup hold the fibers in we have a cramp .Cardiac and smooth muscle cells both act alike but are morphologically different. Take your potassium tabs get plenty of rest and exercise regularly.
I HAD TO RESEARCH THIS FOR SCHOOL AND FIGURED IT WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL TO SHARE WITH EVERYONE! YOU LIVE YOU LEARN! ENJOY!