Bio 3B
Saddleback College
Fall 2011
The Effect of a Lactic Acid Reducer on Human, (Homo sapiens)
George Garcia and Yoon Oh
Department of Biological Science
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA 92692.
Abstract
Everyone in the sports community has heard of performance supplements that clam to help people in their activity by reducing lactate acid level allowing them to work harder and push more. It was predicted that giving humans a lactic acid reducer well help them finish their activity quicker. Ten subjects were finger pricked to check lactated level before and after they ran a flight of stairs, and they were also timed running up and down a flight of stairs 10 times with and without Tums® and Cytomax®. There was and no significant difference was found (p=0.634043, two tailed ANOVA) between the lactate level (mmol•L-1) in Cytomax® (4.8± 0.6246 SEM) versus Tums® (4.46± 0.2903 SEM) versus no supplement (5.09± 0.4113 SEM). Also no significant difference was found (p=0.711876, two tailed ANOVA) between the time (min.) it took to finish running up and down a flight of stairs (2.847± 0.1987SEM) with no supplement, (2.81± 0.1474 SEM) with Tums® and (2.993± 0.1427 SEM) with Cytomax®.
Introduction
After some physical activities, we start to breathe faster as we need more oxygen since oxygen is main source of producing energy through aerobic methods. However, our body sometimes requires more energy production than our bodies can deliver oxygen. Then the working muscles generate energies anaerobically. The energy comes from glucose through glycolysis, and glucose is broken down into pyruvate through aseries of steps. When oxygen is limited, the body temporarily converts pyruvate into lactate. This temporary energy source is good for short term to cover up the energy needs, but it will eventually increase the acidity of the muscle cells, and it will disrupt other metabolites. That means high lactate level will slow down the key systems to maintain muscle contraction, and it will give some impact on physical activity performances. Because high lactate level in muscle cells also increases the acidity, and metabolic pathway that breaks down of glucose to energy will work poorly in this acidic environment.
Recent studies have shown that the effect of a lactic acid reducer will help to reduce high lactate level and promote the better performance on humans. Polylactate and bicarbonate are some compounds that are known to reduce lactic acid levels. Bicarbonate works by lowering the acidy of blood by lowering the H+ ions in blood reducing lactic acid (Price, et al, 2010; Achtzehn, et al, 2011). Polylactate works by disposal of lactic acid via oxidation results in removal of H+ ions buffering lactic acid (Azevedo JL Jr, et al, 2007; Brown et al, 2010). Because bicarbonate and polylactate are lactate acid reducing agents, so they will increase the specimen’s lactate threshold (Artioli, et al, 2011). In theory, increasing the lactate threshold would allow individuals to do an exercise for a longer period of time and enhance better performance.
Materials and Methods
Experimentation began on the week of November 4th, 2011 and data was collected at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, California. Lactate analyzers and lactate test strips are(were) provided by (the) Biological Department of (at) Saddleback College, and Cytomax® and Tums® are purchased to be tested on human subjects. Ten human subjects are recruited and asked to run up and down of the stairs located at in the Math & Science Building at Saddleback College. Experiments are (were) performed on Friday and Saturday mornings for 3 weeks depending on the time availability of each human subject. The experiments are separated into three tests. The first trial was running up and down the stair with normal conditions. Each human subject’s was checked lactate level lactate level was checked before and after run the experiment.(revise sentence)
The second trial was running up and down the stairs with consumption of Cytomax®. Each human subject drank 10-12 fl-oz of water that is mixed with 25g (approximately 1 scoop) of Cytomax®. After consumption of mixture of Cytomax®, each individual was waited for 30 minutes to be digested then checked the lactate level before and after running up and down the stairs.
The last trial was running up and down the stairs with consumption of Tums®. Each human subject took 2 tablets of Tums® (approximately 2000 mg of Calcium Carbonate from total of 2 tablets) and waited for 30 minutes to be digested. Then measured lactate level before and after running up and down the stairs. Results of each trial were recorded individually with the time and lactate level. Running time was measured on time watch and lactate level was measured on a lactate meter, SCOUT®, with test strips.
Results
Lactated is produce during an activity like exercising or anything that cause you to move. But the rate that it takes to be broken down changes when there is a lot more lactatedpresent causing a person to feel that burning feeling or cramping when they are in a physical activity. Lactated was recorded for 10 test subjects who ran up and down a flight of stairs. Lactated levels was measured prior the activity for no supplement, Cytomax® and Tums® and after the activity (Table 1). No significant difference (p= 0.6634, two tailed ANOVA) was found between the measure of lactate between taking no supplement, Tums and Cytomax (Figure 1).
In addition, the time that each subject was able to finish running up and down stairs was recorded. The time that it took to run up and down stairs 10 times was compared between no supplements, Tums® and Cytomax® (Table 1). No significant difference (p= 0.7118, two tailed ANOVA) was found in the time it took to finish the run up and down the flight of stairs when taking no supplements, Tums® and Cytomax® before the activity (Figure 2).
.
lactate level (mmol•L-1) / run time (min)no supplements / 5.09 / 2.847
Cytomax / 4.8 / 2.993
Tums / 4.46 / 2.81
Table 1. Table displays the means values for lactated (mmol•L-1) and run times (min) between no supplements, Cytomax® and Tums®.
Figure 1. There’s no differentin the three supplements lactated level (p= 0.6340, twotailed ANOVA. Error bars are mean ± SEM)
Figure 2. There’s no different in the three run times up and down stairs when taking any of the three supplements (p= 0.711876, two tailed ANOVA. Error bars are mean ± SEM)
Discussion
In the study, no significant difference was established between the lactated levels and activity time of the 10 subjects when taking no supplement, Tums® and Cytomax®. Although the results. Although when taking the Tums® we did see an increase in the subject’s performance, the results were not significantly different to those without supplements. This demonstrates that there is no advantages in buy a performance drink like Cytomax® or any other brand that tell you that it well improve your endurance or performance in a physical activity. These results did not agree with what were(was?) expected.
Price and Simons (2010) and artioli, et al (2007) showed the opposite results, showing that the bicarbonate that in the tums would lower the pH because H+ would be used up by the bicarbonate allowing the runner to run faster than normal. But in my test it did show that the test subjects were able to run faster but in was insignificant to be a difference. Also in Fairbrother, et al (2011) study showed how bicarbonate would lower the lactate level allowing for the test subject to increase its level of intensity. That I also didn’t see in my experiment propyl because i didn’t make my test subjects keep a constant intensity. Brown , et al (2010) study did show that just because you lower the pH of blood doesn’t mean you’re going to get more performance but you get a longer endurance and we did observed because all the test subjects didn’t look as tiered as if they didn’t take and lactated reducer supplement.
But we also didn’t see any improvement with the poly-lactated chain that in Azevedo, et al (2007) and Aydin (2005) study showed that the lactated levels of their test subject got reduce and were able to performed better and longer. Because the poly-lactated chain would lower H+ and so increasing the test subject lactated thresh hold allowing them to perform better. We so the opposite it made them finish their activity longer and it brought up the lactated levels higher even if the statistical analysis showed that it was insignificant. Although in Achtzehn, et al (2011) study showed that lowering the H+ ion would allow a person to exercise in a higher intensity and we did see our some our test subjects run quicker in our experiment even though it shows as an insignificant.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank Professor Steve Teh for his time, help and advice. In addition, we thank Saddleback College Biological Sciences Department for allowing us to use their facilities and for loaning the lactate meter, SCOUT® unit, and code 44, 58 test strips used in the study. Finally, we appreciate the test subjects used in the experiment for the donation of their time and efforts.
References Cited
Achtzehn, S., Sperlich, B., Mester, J., , Wahl, P., Zinner, C,. (2011). Effects of bicarbonate ingestion and high intensity exercise on lactate and H-ion distribution in different blood compartments. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 111(8), 1641-1648. doi:10.1007/s00421-010-1800-4
Artioli, G., Benatti, F., Coelho, D., Gailey, A., Gualano, B., & Lancha Jr., A. (2007). Does Sodium-Bicarbonate Ingestion Improve Simulated Judo Performance?. International Journal of Sport Nutrition & Exercise Metabolism, 17(2), 206-217.
Aydin, R. (2005). Conjugated Linoleic Acid: Chemical Structure, Sources and Biological Properties. Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, 29(2), 189-195.
Azevedo JL Jr, Chapman K, Paull J, Tietz E, Two-Feathers T, (2007). Lactate, Fructose and Glucose Oxidation Profiles in Sports Drinks and the Effect on Exercise Performance. PLoS ONE 2(9): e927. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0000927
Brown, R. C., Cameron, S. L., Gray, A. R., Fairbairn, K. A. & McLay-Cooke, R. T. (2010). Increased Blood pH but Not Performance With Sodium Bicarbonate Supplementation in Elite Rugby Union Players. International Journal of Sport Nutrition & Exercise Metabolism, 20(4), 307-321.
Fairbrother, K. R., Morris, D. M., Shafer, R. S. & Woodall, M. W. (2011). Effects of Lactate Consumption on Blood Bicarbonate Levels and Performance During High-Intensity Exercise. International Journal of Sport Nutrition & Exercise Metabolism, 21(4), 311-317.
PRICE, M. J., & SIMONS, C. (2010). THE EFFECT OF SODIUM BICARBONATE INGESTION ON HIGH-INTENSITY INTERMITTENT RUNNING ANDSUBSEQUENT PERFORMANCE. Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins), 24(7), 1834-1842.
Review Form
Department of Biological Sciences
Saddleback College, Mission Viejo, CA 92692
Author (s): George Garcia and Yoon Oh
Title:The Effect of a Lactic Acid Reducer on Human, (Homo sapiens)
Summary
Summarize the paper succinctly and dispassionately. Do not criticize here, just show that you understood the paper.
This paper was about an experiment on the lactate levels in humans during physical activity. The test was to try and lower the lactate levels in hopes to increase endurance and performance. The investigators used 10 human subjects who ran a flight of stairs. Their lactate levels were checked before and after the run and with and without supplements. The supplements used in this test were Tums and Cytomax. After collecting their data the investigators used an ANOVA test to compare their means. All their means yielded insignificant values. These results did no coincide with previous studies and therefore did not coincide with the hypothesis tested.
General Comments
Generally explain the paper’s strengths and weaknesses and whether they are serious, or important to our current state of knowledge.
I believe that the paper and study is good but there are many errors within the paper it self. The main errors are typographical and textual errors. I feel that with these changes the paper will be a lot stronger. I do not know why the results did not yield desired values. Maybe the other studies did not use ANOVA tests. That should be looked over just to make sure. There does seem to be a numerical difference but since there is no statistical difference it is difficult to tell what actually went wrong.
The introduction, and materials and methods were good. There are just tiny errors that can be fixed. The main problem is use of words in the correct tense. It is important to check the tense of the paper and the words used to describe the accurate time. Also make sure to check the use of words and word combinations.
I do not personally know too much about the lactic acid production other than what was gone over in class but I think that the background and everything sounds good. I think it is accurate with our current state of knowledge.
The discussion portion is good in the sense that you are referring to other studies and comparing it to your study, but I would suggest that you just revise it a little. Instead of just listing all the studies and how they were different try and explain maybe why or try and connect it with the introduction just making it flow a little more.
Technical Criticism
Review technical issues, organization and clarity. Provide a table of typographical errors, grammatical errors, and minor textual problems. It's not the reviewer's job to copy Edit the paper, mark the manuscript.
This paper was a final versionThis paper was a rough draft
Typographical errors: / There were some typos in the paper. Make sure to double-check the paper because it was usually one letter was missing which gave the word a whole different meaning making it hard to understand. Also some sentences have misuse of word combinations. A good tip is to read the paper out loud, this will help in catching words that do not fit or flow smoothly! Also do not forget to follow the exact format for the title and abstract.
Grammatical errors: / The only obvious grammatical errors I saw were in the figure captions and tables. Make sure in the tables to capitalize the first letter of titles and so on.
Textual problems: / There was a lot of flopping back in forth on the tense of the paper. I would double check the way words were used such as “are” and “was” it should all be in past tense. Also try to make it in third person, stay away from “you” or “I”. And do not use “didn’t” or “you’re” instead use “did not” and “you are”.
Recommendation
This paper should be published as is
This paper should be published with revision
This paper should not be published