Download PDF
Int J Sports Med 2007; 28(11): 945-951
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-965067
Training & Testing

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Blood Lactate and Heat Stress during Training in Rowers

H. Maciejewski1 , L. Messonnier2 , B. Moyen1 , M. Bourdin1
  • 1Laboratory of Biomechanics and Human Modelling, Faculty of Medicine Lyon-Sud, Oullins cedex, France
  • 2Laboratory of Modelling Physical Activities, Department STAPS, Le Bourget du Lac cedex, France
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision October 15, 2006

Publication Date:
24 May 2007 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to test the hypothesis that large increases in blood lactate concentration ([La]b) and/or body temperature may occur during an endurance training on a rowing ergometer and disrupt training. The influence of an increase in air convection on the capacity to perform a prolonged exercise was also explored. Ten trained oarsmen were asked to undergo twice, in control (C) and increased air ventilation (AV) conditions, two 30-min trainings on a rowing ergometer at a work rate corresponding to 2.5 mmol · L-1 of [La]b determined during a previous incremental exercise (P2.5). Four subjects did not complete the training session in C despite a steady state in [La]b in two of them. In these four subjects, the end of the exercise was associated with the highest measured rectal temperatures (Tre, 39.4 ± 0.1 °C) and rate of perceived exertion (RPE, 17.8 ± 0.3). Regarding the six other subjects, their heart rate, oxygen uptake, RPE, Tre and water loss values were lower (p < 0.05) in AV than in C. [La]b displayed the same profile in C and AV. This study suggests that i) high body temperature may constitute a significant factor of perceived exertion and disrupt indoor training session, and ii) capacity to perform an endurance training on a rowing ergometer was improved by increasing air convection.

Key words

rowing ergometer - air ventilation - rectal temperature - rate of perceived exertion

References

  • 1 Andrews M A, Godt R E, Nosek T M. Influence of physiological L(+)-lactate concentrations on contractility of skinned striated muscle fibers of rabbit.  J Appl Physiol. 1996;  80 2060-2065
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 2 Baron B, Dekerle J, Robin S, Neviere R, Dupont L, Matran R, Vanvelcenaher J, Robin H, Pelayo P. Maximal lactate steady state does not correspond to a complete physiological steady state.  Int J Sports Med. 2003;  24 582-587
    Thieme ConnectPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 3 Beneke R. Anaerobic threshold, individual anaerobic threshold, and maximal lactate steady state in rowing.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1995;  27 863-867
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 4 Borg G A. Perceived exertion.  Exerc Sport Sci Rev. 1974;  2 131-153
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 5 Bourdin M, Messonnier L, Hager J P, Lacour J R. Peak power output predicts rowing ergometer performance in elite male rowers.  Int J Sports Med. 2004;  25 368-373
    Thieme ConnectPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 6 Bye P T, Farkas G A, Roussos C. Respiratory factors limiting exercise.  Annu Rev Physiol. 1983;  45 439-451
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 7 Candas V, Libert J P, Vogt J J. Influence of air velocity and heat acclimation on human skin wettedness and sweating efficiency.  J Appl Physiol. 1979;  47 1194-1200
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 8 Coast J R, Rasmussen S A, Krause K M, O'Kroy J A, Loy R A, Rhodes J. Ventilatory work and oxygen consumption during exercise and hyperventilation.  J Appl Physiol. 1993;  74 793-798
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 9 Dennis S C, Noakes T D. Advantages of a smaller bodymass in humans when distance-running in warm, humid conditions.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1999;  79 280-284
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 10 Durnin J V, Rahaman M M. The assessment of the amount of fat in the human body from measurements of skinfold thickness.  Br J Nutr. 1967;  21 681-689
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 11 Favero T G, Zable A C, Colter D, Abramson J J. Lactate inhibits Ca(2+)‐activated Ca(2+)-channel activity from skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum.  J Appl Physiol. 1997;  82 447-452
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 12 Fédération Française des sociétés d'Aviron . La revue des entraîneurs d'aviron.  Fédération Française des sociétés d'Aviron. 2004;  21 S1-S13
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 13 Gaesser G A, Brooks G A. Muscular efficiency during steady-rate exercise: effects of speed and work rate.  J Appl Physiol. 1975;  38 1132-1139
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 14 Green J M, McLester J R, Crews T R, Wickwire P J, Pritchett R C, Redden A. RPE-lactate dissociation during extended cycling.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 2005;  94 145-150
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 15 Hagberg J M, Mullin J P, Nagle F J. Oxygen consumption during constant-load exercise.  J Appl Physiol. 1978;  45 381-384
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 16 Heck H, Mader A, Hess G, Mucke S, Muller R, Hollmann W. Justification of the 4-mmol/l lactate threshold.  Int J Sports Med. 1985;  6 117-130
    Thieme ConnectPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 17 Hogan M C, Gladden L B, Kurdak S S, Poole D C. Increased [lactate] in working dog muscle reduces tension development independent of pH.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1995;  27 371-377
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 18 Houdas Y, Guieu J. La fonction thermique. Villeurbanne; SIMEP 1977
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 19 Jurimae J, Jurimae T, Pihl E. Changes in body fluids during endurance rowing training.  Ann NY Acad Sci. 2000;  904 353-358
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 20 Kindermann W, Simon G, Keul J. The significance of the aerobic-anaerobic transition for the determination of work load intensities during endurance training.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1979;  42 25-34
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 21 Latzka W A, Sawka M N, Montain S J, Skrinar G S, Fielding R A, Matott R P, Pandolf K B. Hyperhydration: tolerance and cardiovascular effects during uncompensable exercise-heat stress.  J Appl Physiol. 1998;  84 1858-1864
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 22 Maestu J, Jurimae J, Jurimae T. Monitoring of performance and training in rowing.  Sports Med. 2005;  35 597-617
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 23 Marino F E, Mbambo Z, Kortekaas E, Wilson G, Lambert M I, Noakes T D, Dennis S C. Advantages of smaller body mass during distance running in warm, humid environments.  Pflugers Arch. 2000;  441 359-367
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 24 Messonnier L, Aranda-Berthouze S E, Bourdin M, Bredel Y, Lacour J R. Rowing performance and estimated training load.  Int J Sports Med. 2005;  26 376-382
    Thieme ConnectPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 25 Mitchell J W, Nadel E R, Stolwijk J A. Respiratory weight losses during exercise.  J Appl Physiol. 1972;  32 474-476
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 26 Mognoni P, Sirtori M D, Lorenzelli F, Cerretelli P. Physiological responses during prolonged exercise at the power output corresponding to the blood lactate threshold.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1990;  60 239-243
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 27 Nielsen B, Hales J R, Strange S, Christensen N J, Warberg J, Saltin B. Human circulatory and thermoregulatory adaptations with heat acclimation and exercise in a hot, dry environment.  J Physiol. 1993;  460 467-485
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 28 Noakes T D, Myburgh K H, du Plessis J, Lang L, Lambert M, van der Riet C, Schall R. Metabolic rate, not percent dehydration, predicts rectal temperature in marathon runners.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1991;  23 443-449
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 29 Nybo L, Nielsen B. Hyperthermia and central fatigue during prolonged exercise in humans.  J Appl Physiol. 2001;  91 1055-1060
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 30 Van Schuylenbergh R, Vanden Eynde B, Hespel P. Effects of air ventilation during stationary exercise testing.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 2004;  92 263-266
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar

1 C = 8.3√v (Ts - Ta) Ac, where C represents the exchange by convection (in W), v the wind speed (in m · s-1), Ts the mean skin temperature (in °C), Ta the ambient temperature (in °C), and Ac the body area (in m2).

Hugo Maciejewski

Laboratory of Biomechanics and Human Modelling
Faculty of Medicine Lyon-Sud

69921 Oullins cedex

France

Fax: + 33 478 86 14 31

Email: hugo.maciejewski@univ-lyon1.fr