QuestionWhat causes lactic caid build up exactly? Is it due to constant
contraction of the muscle which can starve the muscle of oxygen
and blood circulatuon?
AnswerGreetings Susan, and I am so sorry for the delay in answering. Lactic acid is indeed due, in part, to constant muscle contraction. Lactic acid is created when the muscle burns sugars (in whatever form) without the presence of oxygen, a process called anearobic metabolism. This occurs about 20 minutes into a workout, when the oxygen in the muscles is burned up in aerobic metabolism. It is normal (in fact, it is what allows us to do something strenuous for more than 20 minutes), and important as this is the stage where fat gets burned more effeciently.
So you have a lot of lactic acid building up. Normally it gets squeezed out by normal muiscle movement and lymphatic fluid, into the lymphatic ducts, where it is processed and eliminated from the body. What stops this is muscular tension. It causes the muscle to tighten and bunch up, and constricts the flow of the lymphatic fluid. Since this canot help wash out the lactic acid, it sits there, causing that familiar burning sensation.
Isn't this fascinating?
I hope this was of some help, Susan, and feel free to write again.
Sincerely,
Christopher
