Due to the busy schedule of my mentor, my mentor and I will not start our research until second semester starts. Therefore, I am learning more about the topic to be prepared of the research.
Before asking the question of what lactate threshold is, we need to know what is lactate acid. How is lactic acid formed? Human bodies perform cellular respiration to obtain energy from fuel molecules every second in their life time, with the aid of oxygen. Once oxygen is absent in the process of cellular respiration, cells undergo fermentation to attain energy stored in ATPs from fuel molecules. Anaerobic fermentation produces lactic acids and ATPs from fuel- molecule dissociations. Lactic acids are waste products created in fermentation when oxygen is absent. What is lactate threshold? Lactate threshold is the blood lactate concentration at a point where lactate begins to accumulate, and the action of clearing and metabolising lactate can no longer keep up with lactate production. Lactate will accumulate in muscles and will often cause the soreness of muscles. Lactate threshold is known as an indicator of the exercise intensity: if lactate threshold is high, the person can continue exercising in aerobic process with great persistence. How to determine lactate threshold? The most accurate method is using calorimetry to determine the lactate concentration in the blood. What is anaerobic threshold? Anaerobic threshold is the stage where a person has to switch from aerobic to anaerobic metabolism. "During anaerobic metabolism, the body burns stored sugars to supply the additional energy needed, and lactic acid is produced faster than it can be metabolized." (http://www.concept2.com/indoor-rowers/training/tips-and-general-info/anaerobic-threshold) How to determine anaerobic threshold? Anaerobic threshold can be determined using indirect calorimetry to detect the oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide release. The difference between lactate threshold and anaerobic threshold is the next question I want to clearly distinguish the two, as well as researching which threshold is more beneficial for running.
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My name is Amber Hsu, and I am a junior at Emma Willard School. I was fascinated by the science since elementary school, where I started my first small research about how different powders like baking soda and flour could remove oil stains, presenting by my friends and I at a science fair. My interest in science did not cease ever since; I began to investigate systems in human body, learn about coding and computer systems, study physics, chemistry, and biology, and watch videos on scientific labs.
At the same time, I became a more professional runner after I came to Emma. Running gradually became a significant part of my daily life, and my passion towards running amplified. My STEAM Research topic—anaerobic threshold and lactate threshold—perfectly matches my interest in Science, which is biology and technology. I am excited to work with Dr. Mitchell at The Sage colleges on indirect calorimetry measuring using technology with lactate threshold and anaerobic threshold researching. Moreover, Signature STEAM Research will be hosting presentations for each project including Signature projects in May, welcoming all visitors to register and to come! |
AuthorClass of 2019 at Emma Willard School. Archives
May 2018
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