No age-related differences were observed for peak blood lactate accumulation following either a continuous or high- intensity interval training session. However, a slower rate of blood lactate clearance was observed in the masters compared to younger cyclists following both protocols. ABSTRACT This study compared blood lactate accumulation and clearance in masters (n = 10; age: 56 ± 5 years) and young (n = 8; age: 26 ± 3 years) cyclists during, and following, a continuous cycle (CON) and a high-intensity interval cycle session (HIT). CON was set at an intensity of 95% of ventilatory threshold 2 for one hour. HIT consisted of 6 x 30 second intervals at 175% peak power output with 4.5 minutes rest between intervals. Blood lactate was measured at regular intervals during each protocol and at 5-minute intervals throughout the 20-minute passive recovery period. No significant between-group differences were found for baseline, peak, or end of exercise blood lactate during either protocol (P > 0.05). Following both protocols, the masters cyclists exhibited a higher final blood lactate value (CON: d ± 90%CI = -0.97 ± 0.80, moderate; HIT: d = -0.70 ± 0.81, moderate) and a lower percent change (CON: d = -0.84 ± 0.87, moderate; HIT: d = -0.70 ± 0.85, moderate) during recovery. To mitigate any influence of masters athletes` diminished blood lactate clearance, it is recommended that extra recovery time or active recovery strategies be used in masters athletes following exercise.
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