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Updated: May 28, 2026
04:28
Evaluation of Blood Lactate and Plasma Insulin During High-intensity Exercise by Antecubital Vein Catheterization
Published on: May 18, 2018
Renal lactate elimination is maintained during moderate exercise in humans
Stefanos Volianitis1, Ellen A Dawson, Mads Dalsgaard
1Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark. stefanos.volianitis@excite.com
Journal of Sports Sciences
|October 20, 2011
Summary
Kidney lactate elimination remains stable during intense exercise, even with reduced blood flow. This suggests the kidneys do not contribute to the initial rise in blood lactate during exercise.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Renal Physiology
- Lactate Metabolism
Background:
- Reduced hepatic (liver) lactate elimination is known to initiate blood lactate accumulation during incremental exercise.
- The role of the kidneys in lactate elimination and its contribution to exercise-induced hyperlactatemia remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether renal lactate elimination contributes to the initiation of blood lactate accumulation during incremental exercise.
Main Methods:
- Nine healthy men underwent sodium lactate infusion at rest and during cycling exercise.
- Renal arterial-to-venous (a-v) lactate and oxygen differences were measured.
- Renal venous erythropoietin concentration was assessed to detect kidney tissue ischemia.
Main Results:
- During exercise, arterial lactate increased significantly, accompanied by a 70% reduction in renal blood flow.
- Despite reduced blood flow, renal lactate elimination was maintained, similar to resting levels.
- No significant change in renal venous erythropoietin concentration indicated no critical renal ischemia.
Conclusions:
- Renal lactate elimination is maintained even with substantial reductions in renal blood flow during exercise.
- Kidney lactate elimination is unlikely to be a primary factor in the initial accumulation of blood lactate during progressive exercise.
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