Metabolic and performance-related consequences of exercising at and slightly above MLSS

Exercising at the maximal lactate steady state (MLSS) results in increased but stable metabolic responses. We tested the hypothesis that even a slight increase above MLSS (10 W), by altering the metabolic steady state, would reduce exercise performance capacity. Eleven trained men in our study performed: one ramp‐incremental tests; two to four 30‐minute constant‐load cycling exercise trials to determine the PO at MLSS (MLSSp), and ten watts above MLSS (MLSSp+10), which were immediately followed by a time‐to‐exhaustion test; and a time‐to‐exhaustion test with no‐prior exercise. Pulmonary O2 uptake V.O2) and blood lactate concentration ([La−]b) as well as local muscle O2 extraction ([HHb]) and muscle activity (EMG) of the vastus lateralis (VL) and rectus femoris (RF) muscles were measured during the testing sessions. When exercising at MLSSp+10, although V.O2 was stable, there was an increase in ventilatory responses and EMG activity, along with a non‐stable [La−]b response (P < 0.05). The [HHb] of VL muscle achieved its apex at MLSSp with no additional increase above this intensity, whereas the [HHb] of RF progressively increased during MLSSp+10 and achieved its apex during the time‐to‐exhaustion trials. Time‐to‐exhaustion performance was decreased after exercising at MLSSp (37.3 ± 16.4%) compared to the no‐prior exercise condition, and further decreased after exercising at MLSSp+10 (64.6 ± 6.3%) (P < 0.05). In summary, exercising for 30 min slightly above MLSS led to significant alterations of metabolic responses which disproportionately compromised subsequent exercise performance. Furthermore, the [HHb] signal of VL seemed to achieve a “ceiling” at the intensity of exercise associated with MLSS.