Repeated Sprint Performance and Inter-Limb Asymmetry in Elite Female Sprinters: A Study of Lactate Dynamics and Lower Limb Muscle Activity

<b>Background:</b> Repeated short maximal sprints induce high blood lactate concentrations and may influence neuromuscular coordination, but the relationship between lactate accumulation and inter-limb asymmetry in elite athletes remains unclear. <b>Objectives:</b> This study...

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Main Authors: Artur Gołaś, Artur Terbalyan, Mariola Gepfert, Robert Roczniok, Aleskander Matusiński, Krzysztof Kotuła, Przemysław Pietraszewski, Adam Zając
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/10/2/213
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author Artur Gołaś
Artur Terbalyan
Mariola Gepfert
Robert Roczniok
Aleskander Matusiński
Krzysztof Kotuła
Przemysław Pietraszewski
Adam Zając
author_facet Artur Gołaś
Artur Terbalyan
Mariola Gepfert
Robert Roczniok
Aleskander Matusiński
Krzysztof Kotuła
Przemysław Pietraszewski
Adam Zając
author_sort Artur Gołaś
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background:</b> Repeated short maximal sprints induce high blood lactate concentrations and may influence neuromuscular coordination, but the relationship between lactate accumulation and inter-limb asymmetry in elite athletes remains unclear. <b>Objectives:</b> This study sought to investigate how blood lactate dynamics during repeated sprint efforts relate to sprint performance and inter-limb muscle asymmetry in elite female sprinters. <b>Methods:</b> Eight elite women (21.3 ± 5.4 y; 54.2 ± 5.1 kg; 165.4 ± 4.3 cm) performed four sets of five all-out 50 m sprints (1 min rest between reps; 5 min between sets). Sprint times were electronically timed. Capillary lactate was measured at rest and 1 min/4 min post-set. Quadricep, hamstring, and gluteal asymmetry was assessed via textile electromyography. Nonparametric statistics (Spearman’s ρ, Friedman test) were applied. <b>Results:</b> From Set 1 to Set 4, sprint time fell from 7.25 ± 0.13 s to 7.07 ± 0.16 s (<i>p</i> = 0.044), 1 min lactate rose from 8.51 ± 2.65 to 15.60 ± 2.66 mmol/L (<i>p</i> < 0.001), and 4 min lactate from 7.16 ± 2.32 to 13.64 ± 2.76 mmol/L (<i>p</i> = 0.002). Muscle group asymmetries decreased (<i>p</i> < 0.01), with lactate at 1 min, correlating negatively with quadriceps (ρ = −0.59) and gluteal (ρ = −0.48) asymmetry. <b>Conclusions:</b> In elite female sprinters, progressive lactate accumulation during repeated 50 m bouts is linked to faster times and reduced muscle asymmetry, suggesting that lactate may enhance neuromuscular coordination under fatigue.
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spelling doaj-art-e1841b62c59b41eaaeef36ed8e759e2c2025-08-20T02:21:13ZengMDPI AGJournal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology2411-51422025-06-0110221310.3390/jfmk10020213Repeated Sprint Performance and Inter-Limb Asymmetry in Elite Female Sprinters: A Study of Lactate Dynamics and Lower Limb Muscle ActivityArtur Gołaś0Artur Terbalyan1Mariola Gepfert2Robert Roczniok3Aleskander Matusiński4Krzysztof Kotuła5Przemysław Pietraszewski6Adam Zając7Institute of Sport Sciences, Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, 40-065 Katowice, PolandInstitute of Sport Sciences, Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, 40-065 Katowice, PolandInstitute of Sport Sciences, Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, 40-065 Katowice, PolandInstitute of Sport Sciences, Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, 40-065 Katowice, PolandInstitute of Sport Sciences, Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, 40-065 Katowice, PolandInstitute of Sport Sciences, Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, 40-065 Katowice, PolandInstitute of Sport Sciences, Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, 40-065 Katowice, PolandInstitute of Sport Sciences, Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, 40-065 Katowice, Poland<b>Background:</b> Repeated short maximal sprints induce high blood lactate concentrations and may influence neuromuscular coordination, but the relationship between lactate accumulation and inter-limb asymmetry in elite athletes remains unclear. <b>Objectives:</b> This study sought to investigate how blood lactate dynamics during repeated sprint efforts relate to sprint performance and inter-limb muscle asymmetry in elite female sprinters. <b>Methods:</b> Eight elite women (21.3 ± 5.4 y; 54.2 ± 5.1 kg; 165.4 ± 4.3 cm) performed four sets of five all-out 50 m sprints (1 min rest between reps; 5 min between sets). Sprint times were electronically timed. Capillary lactate was measured at rest and 1 min/4 min post-set. Quadricep, hamstring, and gluteal asymmetry was assessed via textile electromyography. Nonparametric statistics (Spearman’s ρ, Friedman test) were applied. <b>Results:</b> From Set 1 to Set 4, sprint time fell from 7.25 ± 0.13 s to 7.07 ± 0.16 s (<i>p</i> = 0.044), 1 min lactate rose from 8.51 ± 2.65 to 15.60 ± 2.66 mmol/L (<i>p</i> < 0.001), and 4 min lactate from 7.16 ± 2.32 to 13.64 ± 2.76 mmol/L (<i>p</i> = 0.002). Muscle group asymmetries decreased (<i>p</i> < 0.01), with lactate at 1 min, correlating negatively with quadriceps (ρ = −0.59) and gluteal (ρ = −0.48) asymmetry. <b>Conclusions:</b> In elite female sprinters, progressive lactate accumulation during repeated 50 m bouts is linked to faster times and reduced muscle asymmetry, suggesting that lactate may enhance neuromuscular coordination under fatigue.https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/10/2/213anaerobic performanceglycolysisnational teammovement patterntrack and field
spellingShingle Artur Gołaś
Artur Terbalyan
Mariola Gepfert
Robert Roczniok
Aleskander Matusiński
Krzysztof Kotuła
Przemysław Pietraszewski
Adam Zając
Repeated Sprint Performance and Inter-Limb Asymmetry in Elite Female Sprinters: A Study of Lactate Dynamics and Lower Limb Muscle Activity
Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology
anaerobic performance
glycolysis
national team
movement pattern
track and field
title Repeated Sprint Performance and Inter-Limb Asymmetry in Elite Female Sprinters: A Study of Lactate Dynamics and Lower Limb Muscle Activity
title_full Repeated Sprint Performance and Inter-Limb Asymmetry in Elite Female Sprinters: A Study of Lactate Dynamics and Lower Limb Muscle Activity
title_fullStr Repeated Sprint Performance and Inter-Limb Asymmetry in Elite Female Sprinters: A Study of Lactate Dynamics and Lower Limb Muscle Activity
title_full_unstemmed Repeated Sprint Performance and Inter-Limb Asymmetry in Elite Female Sprinters: A Study of Lactate Dynamics and Lower Limb Muscle Activity
title_short Repeated Sprint Performance and Inter-Limb Asymmetry in Elite Female Sprinters: A Study of Lactate Dynamics and Lower Limb Muscle Activity
title_sort repeated sprint performance and inter limb asymmetry in elite female sprinters a study of lactate dynamics and lower limb muscle activity
topic anaerobic performance
glycolysis
national team
movement pattern
track and field
url https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/10/2/213
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