Correlation Between Exercise Induced Lactic Acidosis and Leucocytosis

Abstract

Background:  Short lasting strenuous physical exercise leads to a marked change in peripheral leucocyte number which is assumed to be diagnostically informative and may be a prognostic marker. Lactic acidosis also develops after intense exercise of short duration, at a metabolic rate that is specific to the individual and the task being performed. This study was done to observe the effects of intensity and duration of exercise on blood lactic acid and total leucocyte count. Furthermore to find out the possible correlation between exercise induced lactic acidosis and leucocytosis.

Methods:  Two groups, each consisting of fifteen normal healthy male adults, were exercised on treadmill. Group-I performed exercise by running for a duration of 2-3 minutes, at 7% grade (4 degree inclination) and at constant speed ranging from 7.5 to 9 km/hour while group-II subjects walked on treadmill for a duration of 7-10 minutes, at zero grade and at constant speed ranging from 5 to 6 km/hour. Blood samples were drawn before and after exercise. Total leucocyte count was determined manually using an improved Neubauer hemocytometer and lactic acid in the blood was determined colorimeterically by Spectronic 21.

Results:  The total leucocyte count increased significantly (P<0.001) by 83.145% and 59.746% after exercise, in groups I and II respectively; group-I vs group-II P<0.1. While the blood lactic acid significantly increased (P<0.001) by 43.197% and 27.273% after exercise, in groups I and II respectively group-I vs group-II P>0.01. The correlations between post-exercise values of blood lactic acid and total leucocyte count of group-I and group-II subjects were r = 0.278 (P <0.5) and 0.201 (P <0.5), respectively.

Conclusion:  It is clearly reflected by this study that the magnitude of exercise induced lactic acidosis and leucocytosis is higher in exercise of more intensity and less duration. Although the correlation between post-exercise blood lactic acid concentration and total leucocyte count was weak and non-significant but was found in both groups. So, the exercise induced lactic acidosis may play at least some role in inducing post-exercise leucocytosis.

Key Words:  Exercise, leucocytosis, lactic acidosis.