Lactate concentration differences in plasma, whole blood, capillary finger blood and erythrocytes during submaximal graded exercise in humans

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the distribution of lactate in plasma, whole blood, erythrocytes, and capillary finger blood, before and during submaximal exercise. Ten healthy male subjects performed submaximal graded cycle ergometer exercise for 20–25 min. Venous blood samples and capillary finger blood samples were taken before exercise and every 5th min during exercise for lactate determination. The plasma lactate concentration was significantly higher (PP<0.01) in lactate concentration was also found between capillary whole blood and venous whole blood. It was concluded that direct comparisons between lactate in capillary finger blood, venous whole blood and plasma could not be made.