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**hackskii** · 24-10-2003, 07:22 PM

I found a article that explains lactic acid in more detail read below:

It is important to understand how and why lactic acid accumulates in the muscles. When glucose is burned for fuel during exercise, it is broken down to a chemical called pyruvate. If you are working at a low enough intensity, sufficient oxygen will be available to easily convert pyruvate to carbon dioxide and water, which are removed by the lungs. When you are working at a very high intensity, however, there is not enough oxygen to convert all the pyruvate to carbon dioxide and water. The result is that some of the pyruvate is converted to lactic acid, which builds up in the muscles and overflows into the bloodstream. Lactic acid causes the "burning" sensation felt in muscles during high intensity exercise and also prevents muscles from working their best.

The best way to get rid of the lactic acid in your cramped muscles is to keep exercising at a slower pace. Lactic acid is removed more quickly during walking than during complete rest, as you are keeping your blood flow steady and constant.
So, cooling down allows the blood to continue to flow through the muscles, allowing the lactic acid to be carried to the liver to be converted back to pyruvic acid.
Adequate rest should be taken between heavy sets, just enough so that you can supply oxygen to your muscles to reduce the lactic acid buildup. If you don't, the large lactic acid buildup will make you feel tired and nauseous after your workout.
So, to conclude, periodically going for "the burn" is a good thing, but just remembe

24-10-2003, 07:22 PM	#7 (permalink)
hackskii UK-Muscle Moderator Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Sunny Southern California U.S.A. Posts: 24,445	I found a article that explains lactic acid in more detail read below: It is important to understand how and why lactic acid accumulates in the muscles. When glucose is burned for fuel during exercise, it is broken down to a chemical called pyruvate. If you are working at a low enough intensity, sufficient oxygen will be available to easily convert pyruvate to carbon dioxide and water, which are removed by the lungs. When you are working at a very high intensity, however, there is not enough oxygen to convert all the pyruvate to carbon dioxide and water. The result is that some of the pyruvate is converted to lactic acid, which builds up in the muscles and overflows into the bloodstream. Lactic acid causes the "burning" sensation felt in muscles during high intensity exercise and also prevents muscles from working their best. The best way to get rid of the lactic acid in your cramped muscles is to keep exercising at a slower pace. Lactic acid is removed more quickly during walking than during complete rest, as you are keeping your blood flow steady and constant. So, cooling down allows the blood to continue to flow through the muscles, allowing the lactic acid to be carried to the liver to be converted back to pyruvic acid. Adequate rest should be taken between heavy sets, just enough so that you can supply oxygen to your muscles to reduce the lactic acid buildup. If you don't, the large lactic acid buildup will make you feel tired and nauseous after your workout. So, to conclude, periodically going for "the burn" is a good thing, but just remembe __________________ Scott Last edited by hackskii; 24-10-2003 at 07:27 PM.