Aberrant peak lactate response in MS
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 20, 2026
Comprehensive Autopsy Program for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis
Published on: July 19, 2019
Kathrin Schlüter1,2,3, Josephina Maier1,2, Stefan Patra1,2
1Universitäres Kompetenzzentrum für Sport-und Bewegungsmedizin (Athleticum), Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
Background:
The peak blood lactate response to an exhaustive exercise test in a number of chronic conditions has been shown to differ from that seen in healthy, untrained individuals. However, this has not been investigated for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Objective:
The main objective was to determine and compare the peak blood lactate response to exercise and the maximal workload between two groups of MS patients with different illness severity.
Methods:
Twenty-five patients with a relapsing-remitting disease course (Group RR) and 41 patients with a secondary- or primary chronic progressive disease course (group CP) performed an exhaustive incremental bicycle ergometry. Peak blood lactate, maximal workload, peak oxygen consumption and maximal heart rate were measured.
Results:
The peak blood lactate levels and maximal workload differed significantly between the groups (group CP < group RR; p < 0.001). Furthermore spiroergometric peak performance markers in both groups were significantly lower than predicted for healthy age and sex matched untrained groups.
Conclusion:
A reduced peak blood lactate response to exercise is a novel finding for MS patients. This calls into doubt if the lactate performance tests and lactate thresholds used for healthy individuals can be transferred to MS patients.
