Lactate is of particular concern to athletes, especially in the running events, as its production and accumulation are associated with muscular fatigue. To optimise performance it is important to fully understand the biomechanical and physiological factors that influence lactate production. This study aimed to improve this understanding by examining the effects of body fat on basal lactate production. Thirty-five individuals (19 athletes and 16 non-athletes) of similar ethnic backgrounds had their body fat assessed and their blood lactate measured before and after an intense bout of running. Significance was observed for pre-exercise basal lactate in the athletes (p=0.005) but not in the non-athletes (p=0.026). A 17% increase in body fat in athletes accounted for an additional 2 mmol/L of basal lactate while a 15% increase in non-athletes resulted in 1.5 mmol/L of basal lactate. No significance was observed between adiposity and lactate concentration post-exercise. The authors concluded that body fat has a significant impact on pre-exercise basal lactate level, possibly affecting the athlete's cellular metabolic status prior to competition.
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