This study aimed to compare the performance of a new portable lactate analyser against other standard laboratory methods in three conditions, normal (20 +/- 1.3 degrees C; 40 +/- 5 % RH), hot (40 +/- 2.5 degrees C; 40 +/- 5 % RH), and humid (20 +/- 1.1 degrees C; 82 +/- 6 % RH) conditions. Seven healthy males, ([Mean +/- SE]: age, 26.3 +/- 1.3 yr; height, 177.7 +/- 1.6 cm; weight, 77.4 +/- 0.9 kg, .VO(2)max, 56.1 +/- 1.9 ml x kg x min(-1)) undertook a maximal cycle ergometry test to exhaustion in the three conditions. Blood was taken every 3 min at the end of each stage and was analysed using the Lactate Pro LT-1710, the Accusport, the Analox GM7 and the Kodak Ektachem systems. The MANOVA (Analyser Type x Condition x Workload) indicated no interaction effect (F(42,660), = 0.45, p > 0.99, Power = 0.53). The data across all workloads indicated that the machines measured significantly differently to each other (F(4,743) = 14.652, p < 0.0001, Power = 1.00). The data were moderately to highly correlated. We conclude that the Lactate Pro is a simple and effective measurement device for taking blood lactate in a field or laboratory setting. However, we would caution against using this machine to compare data from other machines.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of different conditions of heat and humidity on two multiple bouts of high intensity cycling with 60 min recovery between each bout. Eight males (age: 25.5+/-1.8 yr, height: 179.0+/-3.7 cm; weight: 72.3+/-4.0 kg; VO2peak: 51.5+/-2.4 ml x kg(-1) x min(-1), Peak Aerobic Power: 366+/-13 W) volunteered for this study. After undertaking VO2peak testing, all participated randomly, in three consecutive 30 s Wingate tests in three different environmental conditions being: Normal (22 degrees C/30% RH), Wet (30 degrees C/85% RH), and Hot (40 degrees C/40% RH). Subjects were then monitored for the 60 min post-exercise period after which time they repeated the Wingate tests and were again monitored for 60 min. Blood samples were taken pre, immediately post exercise, and at 1, 5, 10, 15, 30, 45, and 60 min into each of the recovery periods and analysed for lactate, pH, and hematocrit. Heart rate was monitored continuously throughout exercise (5 s average) and recovery (60 s average). Weight was measured pre exercise and at 15, 30, 45, and 60 min post-exercise. Urine samples were collected at the same time and analysed for osmolality. The results of the experiment indicated that environmental conditions had no effect on the performance of either series 1 or 2 Wingate tests. Neither were there any changes in weight throughout the three conditions or across the condition. Post exercise pH levels were lower than pre exercise values (p < 0.0001) and the reverse was true for blood lactate levels (p < 0.0003). We conclude that anaerobic exercise is not unduly affected by hot or humid conditions when subjects can re-hydrate according to decreases in body weight.

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