• Question: what is lactic acid and why does hurt when you dont do anything about it also what can you do to stop it thanks for your time answering these questions

    Asked by amkim to Audra, Fiona, Gavin, Justin, Steve on 16 Mar 2012.
    • Photo: Gavin Devereux

      Gavin Devereux answered on 16 Mar 2012:

      Hello,

      It’s not actually the lactic acid that causes muscular fatigue (despite almost all general media reporting it is the case).

      There are many many chemical process and reactions that occur inside your body (needed for energy to be available), and these give off many by-products. One of these are hydrogen ions (H+), and it’s these that cause body tissues to become more acidic (pH is lowered). This more acidic environment makes it much harder for many chemical process to occur, and so you feel an increased level of effort is required to stay active.

      You won’t be able to stop it completely, but generally speaking, the more aerobically conditioned you are, the later acidic environments will start to cause trouble (i.e. you can delay the effect).

      Best regards.

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