Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 25, 2026

Determining the Contribution of the Energy Systems During Exercise
Published on: March 20, 2012
Plasma lactate and plasma volume recovery in adults and children following high-intensity exercises
S Berthoin1, H Allender, G Baquet
1Laboratoire d'Etudes de la Motricité Humaine, Faculté des Sciences du Sport et de l'Education Physique, Université de Lille, Ronchin, France. berthoin@hp-sc.univ-lille2.fr
Aim:
To compare plasma lactate concentration recovery kinetics when measured and corrected for variations in plasma volume between children and adults.
Methods:
Nine boys (11.3 +/- 1.1 y) and 8 men (21.9 +/- 1.9 y) performed a maximal and a supramaximal exercise until exhaustion. Plasma lactate concentrations, haemoglobin and haematocrit were measured at rest, immediately on completion of exercise and after the 2nd, 5th, 12th and 30th minute of recovery. The plasma lactate concentrations and the rate of recovery were corrected for variations in plasma volume.
Results:
The maximal decreases in plasma volume were significantly higher in adults than in children for maximal exercise (-18.7 +/- 2.6% vs -14.5 +/- 3.2%; p < 0.05), but similar for the supramaximal exercise (-16.9 +/- 3.4% vs -15.2 +/- 3.4%). During recovery, measured and corrected plasma lactate concentrations were significantly higher in adults. The rate of plasma lactate recovery was higher in adults for maximal exercise only. The same results were obtained when the rates of plasma lactate decrease were calculated from corrected plasma lactate concentrations.
Conclusion:
The correction of the plasma lactate concentrations for variations in plasma volume did not influence the comparison of the concentrations obtained in adults and children, or their rate of recovery.
Related Concept Videos
Muscle Recovery and Fatigue
Cardiac Output and Stroke Volume
In an average resting adult male, the typical cardiac output averages...
Exercise and Cardiac Output
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be met...
Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
Respiratory Volumes and Capacities

