Lactate threshold and onset of blood lactate accumulation during incremental exercise after dietary modifications

This study was designed to clarify the effects of dietary modifications on the lactate threshold (LT) and on the onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA) during progressive incremental exercise. Six healthy males volunteered for the study. Informed consent was obtained from every participant. The following protocol was administered to each subject on three occasions: a 48-h period of mixed dieting (53% carbohydrates, 30% lipids, 17% proteins) preceding the first exercise test, immediately followed by a 48-h period of either a carbohydrate-rich (68% CHO, 23% lipids, 9% proteins) or a fat-rich (19% CHO, 57% lipids, 26% proteins) iso-caloric diet leading to the second exercise and separated from the third test by a 12-days period. Exercise tests were conducted on an electrically-braked ergocycle, and consisted of a progressive incremental maximal exercise. Respiratory parameters were continuously monitored by an automated open circuit sampling system. Exercise blood lactate (LA), free fatty acids (FFA), glucose levels and acid-base balance were determined from venous blood samples obtained through an indwelling brachial catheter. Peak lactate values, workload and performance time were not significantly altered by imposed diets. Furthermore, dietary modifications had no significant effect on LT, OBLA fixed at 4 mmol and ventilatory threshold. Increased pH and FFA mobilization were observed with fat-rich diet, while CHO-rich diet markedly increased the respiratory exchange ratio (R). It is concluded that LT and OBLA are not significantly altered by fat or CHO enrichment of diets.