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Relationship between Blood Volume, Blood Lactate Quantity, and Lactate Concentrations during Exercise.

Janis Schierbauer^1,2, Alina Wolf^1,2, Nadine B Wachsmuth^1,2

¹Division of Exercise Physiology & Metabolism, University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany.

|May 26, 2023

Summary

Total blood volume (BV) and lactate quantity significantly influence blood lactate concentrations during exercise. Exercise-induced BV shifts can reduce lactate transport capacity, impacting test interpretation.

Area of Science:

Exercise Physiology
Sports Science
Biochemistry

Background:

Lactate concentration ([La-]) is a key indicator during incremental exercise testing.
Factors influencing blood lactate levels, such as total blood volume (BV), are not fully understood.
Understanding these factors is crucial for accurate interpretation of exercise performance.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the influence of total blood volume (BV) and blood lactate quantity on lactate concentrations during incremental exercise.
To determine if exercise-induced changes in BV affect lactate transport capacity.
To assess the role of BV in interpreting lactate levels during cardiopulmonary exercise tests.

Main Methods:

Twenty-six healthy, trained females underwent incremental cardiopulmonary exercise testing on a cycle ergometer.
Measurements included maximum oxygen uptake (V·O2max), lactate concentrations ([La-]), hemoglobin concentrations ([Hb]), and hemoglobin mass.
Blood volume (BV) was determined using an optimized carbon monoxide-rebreathing method; changes in BV during exercise were monitored.

Main Results:

Blood volume (BV) decreased significantly (5.7%) during incremental exercise until maximum power output (Pmax).
At Pmax, blood lactate concentration ([La-]) was significantly correlated with systemic lactate quantity and negatively correlated with BV.
Exercise-induced BV shifts were calculated to reduce lactate transport capacity by 10.8%.

Conclusions:

Both total blood volume (BV) and lactate quantity significantly influence blood lactate concentrations during dynamic exercise.
The shift in plasma volume during exercise may significantly reduce blood lactate transport capacity.
Total blood volume (BV) should be considered a relevant factor in the interpretation of blood lactate ([La-]) during cardiopulmonary exercise tests.

Keywords:

erythrocyte volume hematocrit hemoglobin concentration lactate kinetics performance diagnostics plasma volume

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