Changes in blood ammonia and lactate levels during a triathlon race

Blood ammonia and lactate concentrations were analyzed in 7 volunteer male athletes before and immediately after each segment of an endurance triathlon. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of triathlon on ammonia and lactate blood levels and the possible correlation between both in each different event. Concentrations of blood ammonia were increased after each of the three segments, reaching a peak after the 40 km bicycle ride. Concentrations of blood lactate were also increased over baseline. However, there was a higher increase after the 1.4 km lake swim, than after the 40 km bicycle ride or after the 10 km run. No correlation was found between the levels of ammonia and lactate, suggesting that ammonia and lactate follow different metabolic patterns.