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Differential patterns of sweat and blood lactate concentration response during incremental exercise in varied ambient temperatures: A pilot study

Takei N, Inaba T, Morita Y, Kakinoki K, Hatta H, Kitaoka Y

Temperature (Austin, Tex.), 2024

6 citations

Abstract

Blood lactate concentration during exercise is a reliable indicator of energy metabolism and endurance performance. Lactate is also present in sweat, and sweating plays an important role in thermoregulation, especially in hot conditions. Recently, wearable sensors have enabled the real-time and noninvasive measurement of sweat lactate concentration, potentially serving as an alternative indicator of blood lactate response. However, the evidence regarding the relationship between sweat and blood lactate responses during incremental exercise in hot conditions is lacking. In a randomized cross-over design, six highly trained male runners completed two incremental treadmill tests under normal (20°C/50%RH) or hot (30°C/50%RH) conditions. The tests include 3-min running stages and 1-min recovery, starting at 12 km/h and increasing by 1 km/h at each stage. Blood and sweat lactate concentrations were measured at each stage to determine blood and sweat lactate thresholds (LT). Blood lactate concentrations were higher under hot conditions (p p p p < 0.001) but not under hot conditions, and no significant correlations were observed between the velocity at blood and sweat LT. In conclusion, sweat lactate concentration does not consistently reflect blood lactate concentration during incremental exercise.

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Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design.

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