Author(s): MASTALERZ, A., JOHNE, M., MRÓZ, A., BOJARCZUK, A., STASTNY, P., PETR, M., KOLINGER, D., PISZ, A., VOSTATKOVA, P., MACULEWICZ, E., Institution: UNIVERSITY OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION IN WARSAW, Country: POLAND, Abstract-ID: 821

INTRODUCTION:
To improve anaerobic performance, coaches and athletes focus on speed endurance training. Successful 400-m performance requires a fast start, followed by a relative decrease in velocity during the final 100 meters. Blood lactate (LA) levels are commonly used to evaluate anaerobic metabolism, exercise intensity, lactate threshold, and recovery, offering valuable insights into metabolic demands during various physical activities. Post-exercise lactate concentration is particularly informative about the workload and its impact on recovery. This study aims to investigate the differences in lactate concentration following maximal anaerobic efforts in a group of 400-m sprinters, further categorized based on performance levels.
METHODS:
One hundred thirty male runners were divided into two groups: elite (n = 66, body mass = 73.4 ± 7.8 kg, height = 182.1 ± 6.2 cm, age = 20.8 ± 4.0 years) and sub-elite (n = 64, body mass = 72.0 ± 7.1 kg, height = 182.1 ± 5.2 cm, age = 20.8 ± 4.0 years). Elite athletes had a 400-m sprint time below 50 seconds, while sub-elite athletes had a personal best above 50 seconds. Power output during countermovement (CMJ) and sequential squat jumps (SSJ) was measured in two sets after a warm-up. This was followed by two intermittent 30-second Wingate tests. Lactate concentration was measured at eight time points.
RESULTS:
Maximal power (Pmax) was significantly higher in the elite group for both Wingate and jump tests (CMJ, SSJ). Pmax in the second Wingate test was lower in both groups and not significantly different (p = 0.140). Elite sprinters had higher lactate (LA) concentrations at most time points, except at rest and post-warm-up. After the first Wingate test, LA accumulation was 9% higher in the elite group up to 6 minutes post-exercise. The sub-elite group showed higher LA clearance at 9 and 12 minutes. At 20 minutes, LA concentration in both groups was similar to the 1st minute. Peak lactate (LAmax) occurred at 3 minutes post-Wingate for 40% of both groups, while 32% of elite and 38% of sub-elite reached LAmax at 6 minutes. The timing of LAmax did not differ between groups. LA kinetics during accumulation (1-3 minutes) and clearance (9-20 minutes) were similar in both groups, with no significant differences between 3-9 minutes.
CONCLUSION:
Elite athletes demonstrate higher maximum power and greater lactate concentration following Wingate tests, which can likely be attributed to their adaptation to anaerobic metabolism dominance and the recruitment of fast-twitch muscle fibers during prolonged sprints. This adaptation, along with a more aggressive running strategy, sets them apart from their less experienced sub-elite counterparts. Despite these differences, the kinetics of LA accumulation and clearance were comparable between the two groups. Furthermore, the 400-meter running time was significantly correlated with the rate of LA accumulation from the 1st to the 3rd minute post-effort, but showed no relationship with the rate of LA clearance.