Objective: To establish determinants of lactatemia after race on 200 m and 400 m in African athletes specialized in these distances. Methods: Seven male athletes participated in the study. Their mean age was 24.57 ± 3.41 years. Measured anthropometric parameters were weight, height, body mass index (BMI), fatty mass by the cutaneous folds` method and thin mass. Athletes performed 200 m race and 400 m 24 hours after. Lactatemia was measured on samples obtained by micro puncture from fingertip after warm up and at 5th minute recovery [LA]R5. Results: Significant difference (P < 0,001) was found between 200 m and 400 m concerning velocity v, recovery lactatemia ([LA]R5), lactate productions LA (difference between post-warming lactatemia and [LA]R5) and when LA are divided by velocity (LA/v). Significant positive correlation was found only for the 200 m, between BMI and LA (R = 0,75; P = 0,047) and remain better when we have considered LA/v (R = 0,9; P = 0,0048). Conclusion: Our study suggests that BMI and velocity represent the most determining parameters in lactate production in 200 m race more than in 400 m.
© Copyright 2012 Science & Sports. Elsevier. All rights reserved.