[Lactate clearance is positively correlated with peripheral blood monocyte counts after high-intensity exercise]

This study aimed to explore the relationship between lactate clearance and immune function in elite athletes, providing a theoretical basis for optimizing training loads and immune monitoring. In this cross-sectional observational study, 31 high-level athletes were recruited. Blood lactate concentrations were measured at 3, 5, 7, and 9 min after high-intensity exercise, whereas immune cell counts were assessed at rest (pre-exercise baseline). The results showed that lactate clearance at 3-5 min and 3-7 min was significantly and positively correlated with rest total white blood cell count and monocyte count (P < 0.05). Stepwise regression further identified rest monocyte count as the only significant predictor of lactate clearance at 3-7 and 3-9 min, suggesting that higher monocyte levels are associated with faster lactate removal. These findings suggest that the immune system may play a supportive role in the early phase of lactate clearance following intense exercise. The time-dependent association between monocytes and lactate clearance points to a potential interaction between immune activity and metabolic recovery. This study provides new insights that may help guide the adjustment of training loads and the development of personalized recovery strategies for elite athletes.