Angus, C., & Benek, R. (2006). The blood lactate response to short-term maximal sprinting exercise in children and adolescents. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 38(5), Supplement abstract 1476.

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of age on blood lactate response to short-term maximal sprinting. Male children (N = 10) and adolescents (N = 9) completed a maximum sprint of 100-m and 150-m respectively (equal duration of exercise for both groups). Blood lactate was measured pre-exercise and up to 30 minutes post-exercise.

Running was slower for children versus adolescents. Lactate peak was greater in adolescents than in children. The rate of extra-vascular lactate appearance per exercise task duration explained 73% of the variance in running speed in children and 86% in adolescents.

Implication. Age influences the magnitude of the post-exercise blood lactate. It is lower in children than adolescents.

Return to Table of Contents for this issue.