Athletic Recovery and Lactic Acid

During an intense workout or strenuous exercise, we begin to breathe faster than our bodies can handle. The body systematically continues to generate energy with aerobic methods with directly using oxygen. When the body is pushed to a limit that it can not produce energy with aerobic methods, it starts to deliver energy in a different way anaerobically. This process is initiated through a deliverable action of glycolysis which ultimately breaks down and turns into pyruvate.

When oxygen is limited, the body temporarily converts pyruvate into a substance called lactate, which allows glucose breakdown—and energy production—to continue. The working muscle cells can pursue this type of anaerobic energy production at high rates for one to three minutes, during which time lactate can accumulate to high levels.

Excessive quantities of lactic acid cause muscles to function poorly – however – this often painful sensation also gets us to stop overworking the body, thus forcing a recovery period in which the body clears the lactate and other metabolites. It can also cause muscle ache, burning, rapid breathing, nausea, and stomach pain. Fatigue and potential muscle cramps can set in and obstruct normal functioning of the tissue.

This is where the effectiveness of the whole body cryotherapy is most notable. The intense, cold stimulation from being inside the Cryotherapy chamber has a positive effect on the muscular enzymes, such as creatine kinase, which plays a significant role in the production of energy in the body.

Synthesis of lactate dehydrogenase, responsible for the lactic acid conversion, which then supplies energy to cells, is additionally increased. By changing the immunological molecules, the therapeutic process of whole body cryotherapy evidently facilitates the recovery process after intense physical activity.