Lactic Acid <Back to Last Page> <Full Glossary>

Related Terms • anaerobic metabolism • anaerobic zone • glycolysis • glycogen

Definition: Lactic acid is a by-product of anaerobic glycolysis and anaerobic metabolism. Although used as a fuel by the heart, excessive lactic acid slows down contractions of the skeletal muscles, preventing you from walking fast.

Pronunciation: lac-tic as-id • (noun)

Also Known As: Lactate

Examples: If you walk in the anaerobic zone for too long, lactic acid builds up.

Common Misspellings: latic lacktic lacktick

Related Resources:

Weekly Walking Workouts
Workouts including aerobic and threshhold workouts.

Cardiovascular Exercise - the Zones
How to use the aerobic heart rate zone to burn calories and improve fitness.

Elsewhere on the Web:

Lactate and the Long Walk
How the body uses various types of walking workouts to build muscle and endurance, from Dave McGovern.

Lactic Acid
The Sports Coach explains all about lactic acid.

Credit: Dave McGovern: Dave's Worldclass Racewalking

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