Re: Lactic Acid (was Chris/real life can be better exercise)

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In a message dated 2/7/04 3:31:24 AM Eastern Standard Time, bberg@...

writes:

> No. Delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) actually has nothing to do with

> lactic acid and little to do with the intensity of the exercise. Lactic

> acid buildup is the cause of the soreness that you feel while performing

> high-rep, low-intensity exercise (bodyweight squats, bench-pressing a

> bar, etc.), but this goes away almost immediately when you stop.

That's what I thought, but wasn't sure. I'll just add a tip of my own: I

find that taking about 8 very deep breaths as quickly as I can before each set

helps prevent both lactic acid and muscle failure. Lactic acid will build up

regardless of the intensity, and I believe it builds up a little during warmup

exercises when you don't notice it. Muscle failure is caused by lactic acid

buildup. Increasing oxygenation both helps prevent lactic acid production by

increasing aerobic respiration, and help flush the lactic acid from the muscles

faster, which uses oxygen.

While lactic acid removal begins immediately, it does linger for a certain

time if the level of oxygenation is deficient to remove it.

Chris