Rusko, H. (1986). Analysis of physiological response to training and competition among Finnish endurance athletes. Athletic Performance Review, 1(10), 1-2. (Abstract)

Terminal lactates were taken on Finnish cross-country skiers at the end of championship events (males 15 km and females 5 km). The following were found for the males:

• High finish lactates were found in athletes who were fast at the half-way mark and then slowed.
  
• Lower lactates were recorded in athletes who performed more evenly.
  
• There was no difference in performance between the groups even though there was considerable variation in lactate measures between them.

The following were found for the females:

• Those with high finish lactates started fast, slowed and finished in poorer placings than the low lactate group.
  
• The low lactate group finished with better placings.

Implications. There is little value in post-race lactates for they do not relate to absolute race placings. They do seem to be slightly related to the fast out -- slow home, type of race pacing. Even pacing of effort is crucial for cross-country skiing.

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