Lactic acid – the innocent culprit of muscle fatigue

Abstract

What causes muscle fatigue? Is lactic acid considered to be a major culprit in the underlying mechanisms of muscle fatigue? These are very important questions and the answers are difficult and sophisticated. For decades, lactic acid was the major culprit of muscle fatigue. This review reveals that muscle fatigue would occur more badly if lactic acid was not produced in anaerobic cellular conditions to regenerate NAD+ required for continuation of glycolysis, the major pathway for generation of energy needed for muscle performance.

Key words: Lactic acid, Fatigue, Lactic acidosis, Troponin C