Feeling the burn? It's not lactic acid
If you've ever pushed yourself through a hard workout, you've probably "felt the burn." It's that familiar sensation of pain and exhaustion in the muscles when they almost feel like they're on fire.
Experiencing muscle fatigue and a burning sensation during a vigorous workout doesn't stem from lactic acid buildup as commonly believed. This misconception arose in the early 1900s when scientists discovered lactic acid accumulation in stimulated muscles, leading to the erroneous conclusion that it causes muscle fatigue. However, research since then has debunked this theory.
While lactic acid and lactate are similar-sounding terms, they have distinct roles in our bodies. Lactate production during exercise actually helps reduce muscle acidity, allowing for more efficient energy production and delaying fatigue. Despite this, the exact cause of the burning sensation remains unclear. It's now understood that nerve stimulation by various substances produced during exercise, rather than lactic acid, is responsible for the perceived burn.
This highlights how a single misunderstood concept can become widely accepted as fact, even when challenged by scientific advancements.
Written by urgent.news from Medical Xpress's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
