LACTIC ACID AND POST-EXERCISE SORENESS

Rushall Thoughts, 1994.

Lactic acid is removed from the blood and muscles and returned to normal usually within one hour after cessation of exercise. Active recovery usually accelerates the clearance process.

The usual reason for soreness and stiffness in the body after strenuous exercise is not a "pooling and retention of lactic acid." Rather, it stems from muscle cell damage caused by the intensity of the performance, a level of intensity that previously has not been experienced, or a modification of style that causes muscle fibers to be used and loaded in an unfamiliar manner.

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