Lactic Acid (Lactate)

Lactic acid is constantly produced by the body as a by-product of metabolism and exercise. Lactate only becomes a problem during intense exercise, when its production outstrips its removal from the system. Oxygen is responsible for the removal of lactate, but when it cannot do this quickly enough we reach a point known as anaerobic threshold, or OBLA (Onset of Blood Lactate Accumulation). This point is where the muscles start to burn and become painful.