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RE: [RC] Lactic Acid - Von Simson, CristianoI might be oversimplifying it, but here goes my understanding of this issue: Lactic Acid is a good energy source if it is circulating and can go to the liver to be transformed in more useful compounds, or to other tissues that can use it. It can be irritating and cause pain when it is accumulating in the muscles, and not "washed out" efficiently by the blood flow. To examples of this accumulation, pain and "tying up" that we can observe are: 1) Start intense exercise without any warm up. The heart rhythm and blood flow to the muscle has not increased yet, so the work is anaerobic and the acid is not washed away. The irritating action of this acid causes contraction of the blood vessels in the area, and the problem gets worse. 2) The horse is dehydrated after a long ride, and the blood flow is reduced. Same problem as above. Usually it gets worse when the horse stops walking, for the leg muscles stop helping to pump blood back. So my conclusion is: Acid lactic can be OK if the horse can redistribute it and use it, but if we get too much of it in a muscular group it will cause problems. The conditioned horse can manage greater amounts of lactic acid in his circulation than the unconditioned horse. If I am outdated in my concepts, I hope that the experts in this matter will enlighten us all. Cistiano von Simson (DVM) -----Original Message----- From: ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Kristen A Fisher Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2004 10:51 AM To: Jon.Linderman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Cc: Ridecamp Subject: Re: [RC] Lactic Acid This is interesting as I am very curious about the Negative Splits article in EN - and reportedly negative splits are effective because starting slow reduces the lactic acid build up in the muscles. So that is contradictory to this info. Also, what is the cause of sore muscles after hard work if not lactic acid? Kristen ----- Original Message ----- From: <Jon.Linderman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: "goearth" <goearth@xxxxxxxxxxx> Cc: "Jeannie Waldron" <jwaldron@xxxxxxxxx>; "Ridecamp" <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>; <ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2004 7:39 AM Subject: Re: [RC] Lactic Acid Since this is my field its sort of interesting to see this topic in popular press. Most physiology texts (human or quadriped) still use a simpleton's discussion of lactic acid (LA). Its not to say its wrong, just incomplete. I worked with one of the premier scientists on the topic in graduate school @ Berkeley, a man named George Brooks. Since the 70's hes published the most sophisticated work in the field, but due to the complexity of the issue, or his personality (fire on a gasoline pool) his work has been overlooked in more popular literature. It (LA) is a valuable tool in monitoring training or intensity of work, and as a powerful metabolic acid it does contribute to fatigue that we have known since the 50's. However, it is far far more complex than that. Basically a LA molecule is 1/2 of a glucose (sugar) molecule that still retains most of the energy of the glucose molecule & many tissues such as the heart, liver, and type I (slow twitch) muscle fibers use lactic acid as a fuel source. I imagine by the time I retire from academia there will be some progress in the general public's understanding, but it'll die slow, like the earth being flat or the earth being the center of the universe. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------------------- This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this e-mail in error please notify the system manager: postmaster@xxxxxxxxxx This e-mail and its attachments have been scanned for the presence of computer viruses, however it is always advisable to run a virus check on e-mails and attachments before opening them. -------------------------------------------------------- =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
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