Lactic Acid: No Pain, No Gain?

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Lactic acid and muscle soreness after intense exercise are common issues. Discover how to relieve it and why it is part of the energy process in cells.

lactic acid

What hurts, what happens and how to alleviate it ...

Much is said about lactic acid and the pain it causes after intense exercise.

To begin with, lactic acid is produced in your body in response to a demand for additional energy, raising its production to higher levels than those for eliminating it; and far from being the collateral result of energy requirements, it is part of the process and energy-producing agent for cells.

He is generally held responsible for the muscle painsHowever, it is not the muscles that hurt, it is the nerve endings that are in the muscles when they come into contact with the excess accumulated lactic acid. It is a warning from the body that there is an overproduction that has not been adequately absorbed by the body.

As you exercise more, the mitochondria in your muscle cells increase their ability to process this acid and the energy it produces in greater quantities and quality, so that as you exert yourself more regularly and intensely, the "aches muscles ”are decreasing and recovery is faster.

In this sense, there are confirmed studies that have also revealed that pain tolerance in athletes is greater than that of people who do not exercise regularly, that although both can feel pain at the same time, the ability to withstand and assimilate those muscle aches , It is much higher in athletes thanks to the ability of their cells to process lactic acid.

Now, if you are an athlete and suffer these pains from time to time, you will know the leading role that the massage after a physical demand of great magnitude. You should get massages because:

  • They help circulation, dilating veins, blood vessels, arteries, and the lymphatic system to decongest the accumulations of lactic acid and carry it to the cells in a homogeneous way where it will be absorbed.
  • They help and facilitate the secretion of toxins from the body
  • Helps relax nerve endings.

When you start a sports discipline, if you are sedentary, or if you have had a long period of rest, the discomfort due to the accumulation of lactic acid are normal, they are an indicator that you have exerted yourself more than normal, and that your body is adapting to these new conditions and rhythm, you are increasing your cellular capacity to accept and process energy. As the slogan of many gyms in the 70's says! No pain… No gain!

Frequently asked questions from our readers:

It is not necessary to experience pain to obtain benefits in physical preparation. Lactic acid is produced during intense exercise and can cause sensations of soreness and muscle fatigue, but is not indicative of improved performance or results. It is important to listen to our body and find a balance between effort and recovery in order to obtain gains in physical preparation. Read more here: https://www.equilibriumx.com/preparacion-fisica/acido-lactico-sin-dolor-no-hay-ganancia-no-pain-no-gain
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Lactic acid plays several important roles in the body. In exercise, it is produced by muscles and used as a source of energy when oxygen levels are low. Furthermore, in the food industry, lactic acid is used as a preservative, in the ripening of cheeses and as an acidity regulator in various foods.

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Lactic acid is found naturally in fermented dairy products such as yogurt and some cheeses. It is also produced by the body during intense exercise, especially under anaerobic conditions. Additionally, it is commonly added to processed foods as a preservative and pH regulator.

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Last modified: 2024-11-13T23:31:01+11:00

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