M. Deangelis et al., OXYGEN-UPTAKE, HEART-RATE AND BLOOD LACTATE CONCENTRATION DURING A NORMAL TRAINING SESSION OF AN AEROBIC DANCE CLASS, European journal of applied physiology and occupational physiology, 78(2), 1998, pp. 121-127
The aim of this research was to investigate the physiological response
s and, in particular, the participation of lactic acid anaerobic metab
olism in aerobic dance, which is claimed to be pure aerobic exercise.
In contrast to previous studies, that have put subjects in very unfami
liar situations, the parameters were monitored in the familiar context
of gymnasium, practice routine and habitual instructor. A group of 30
skilled fairly well-trained women performed their usual routine, a co
mbination of the two styles: low (LI) and high impact (HI), and were c
ontinuously monitored for heart rate (HR) and every 8 min for blood la
ctate concentration ([La-](b)). Of the group, 15 were tested to determ
ine their maximal aerobic power ((V) over dot O-2max) using a cycle-er
gometer. They were also monitored during the routine for oxygen uptake
((V) over dot O-2) by a light telemetric apparatus. The oxygen pulses
of the routine and of the corresponding exercise intensity in the inc
remental test were not statistically different. The mean values in the
exercise session were: peak HR 92.8 (SD 7.8)% of the subject's maxima
l theoretical value, peak (V) over dot O-2 99.5 (SD 12.4)% of (V) over
dot O-2max maximal [La-](b) 6.1 (SD 1.7) mmol.l(-1) and mean 4.8 (SD
1.3) mmol.l(-1). Repeated measures ANOVA found statistically significa
nt differences between the increasing [La-](b) values (P < 0.001). In
particular, the difference between the [La-]b values at the end of the
mainly LI phase and those of the LI-HI combination phase, and the dif
ference between the samples during the combination LI-HI phase were bo
th statistically significant (both P = 0.002 and P = 0.002). The simil
ar oxygen pulses confirmed the validity of the present experiment desi
gn and the reliability of HR monitoring in this activity. The HR, (V)
over dot O-2 and, above all, the increase of [La-]b to quite high valu
es, showing a non steady state, demonstrated the high metabolic demand
made by this activity that involved lactic acid metabolism at a much
higher level than expected.