Maximal lactate-steady-state independent of performance

Purpose: The maximal lactate steady state (MLSS) corresponds to the highest workload that can be maintained over time without a continual blood lactate accumulation. MLSS and MLSS intensity have been speculated to depend on performance. Experimental proof of this hypothesis is missing. Methods: 33 male subjects (age: 23.7 +/- 5.5 yr, height: 181.2 +/- 5.3 cm. body mass: 73.4 +/- 6.4 kg) performed an exhausting incremental load test to measure peak workload and three to six 30-min constant load tests on a cycle ergometer to determine MLSS. Results: MLSS (4.9 +/- 1.4 mmol . L-1) was independent of MLSS workload (3.4 +/- 0.6 W . kg(-1)) and peak workload (4.8 +/- 0.6 W . kg(-1)). MLSS intensity (71.1 +/- 6.7%) did not correlate with peak workload or MLSS (P > 0.05). A positive correlation was found between peak workload and MLSS workload (r = 0.82, P < 0.001). Conclusions: MLSS and MLSS intensity are independent of performance but subjects with higher maximum performance have higher MLSS workloads. The combination of various fitness related effects on both, the production and the disappearance of lactate during exercise, may explain that different MLSS workloads coincide with similar levels of MLSS and MLSS intensity.