Affiliations: [a] Department Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK, USA | [b] Exercise and Sports Science Program, University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK, USA | [c] School of Nursing, University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK, USA | [d] Department Health and Sport Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: John Caruso, Department of Health and Sport Sciences, The University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA. Tel.: +1 502 852 6648; Fax: +1 502 852 4534; E-mail:john.caruso@louisville.edu
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Gender-based delta blood lactate concentration (Δ [BLa - ])
differences may be impacted by the volume of work performed
during exercise. Thus workload can act as a confounding influence when data
from men and women are compared. OBJECTIVE: To examine workload's impact on gender-based disparities
in delta blood lactate concentration (Δ [BLa - ]) values from
supramaximal exercise. METHODS: Subjects (49 women, 31 men) did two workouts on an
exercise device (Impulse Technologies; Newnan, GA) comprised solely of
either tonic or phasic repetitions. Total work (TW) and Δ [BLa -
] were quantified from each workout. TW and raw Δ [BLa - ]
values were each examined with 2 × 2 ANOVAs, with repeated measures for
workout. Δ [BLa - ] values were also examined with TW as a
covariate using a 2 × 2 ANCOVA and repeated measures for workout. RESULTS: Raw Δ [BLa - ] and TW results each yielded
predictable inter-gender differences. However our ANCOVA data produced a
two-way interaction and the following significant differences: men-phasic,
women-phasic > women-tonic > men-tonic. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the idea that the volume of TW
performed exacerbates inherent metabolic differences among men and women
that heighten gender-based blood lactate differences. Future research on
inter-gender lactate differences should consider workload as a covariate.
