The Lactic Revolution: Rethinking Lactic Acid and its Impact on Muscle Fatigue

July 22, 2021 by
Photo Credit: CrossFit LLC

This year is special. The CrossFit Games are back in live action and the 2020 Olympic Games are going down in Tokyo, at the same time. It’s like the planetary conjunction of fitness.

And while there is so much to watch and celebrate, there is one word that’s almost guaranteed to be misused over and over again, even at the highest level of sports commentary. And that word is Lactic Acid. Two words technically, but put together, lactic acid is believed to be the culprit of muscle fatigue.

There has even been a famous workout named after it, perhaps you remember Acid Bath from the 2018 Dubai CrossFit Championships. You will hear announcers and athletes talk about the effects of lactic acid and how it impairs muscle contraction and leads to a decline in performance. You will hear about how the athletes who are most tolerant and adapted to the effects of lactic acid are the ones who can suffer the most and ultimately win events.

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