Richardson, M. T., Rinehardt, K. F., Bouchier, N. B., Zoernik, D., Campbell, D., & Cordill, M. R. (1993). Blood lactate clearance at the OBLA intensity. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 25(5), Supplement abstract 368.

In male swimmers (N = 15) onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA) occurred at 51% of maximal resistance in tethered swimming and 70% of maximal heart rate. OBLA pace removes lactate fastest and in less than 15 min. It was found that recovery was fastest when actively recovering at OBLA pace.

Implication. In swimming, recovery is facilitated by continuous swimming at a velocity that was equal to that which produced lactate accumulation (OBLA).

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