Does lactic acid really buildup after pitching?

The next part of our series pertains to the lactic acid debate in pitchers’ arms post pitching. Many coaches tell their pitchers to run poles post pitching to “flush” the lactic acid from their body. In reality, there is no lactic acid buildup during pitching.

Before we start, here is a little background information. Lactic Acid is a substance and when it donates or loses a hydrogen in its chemical form it becomes lactate. Lactate is found in blood. The energy pathway that is used most of the time in baseball is the ATP/CP system (phosphagen) which lasts for about 10 seconds.The next pathway is the Glycolytic system (30 seconds to 2 minutes), where the demands for energy is high, oxygen needs are surpassed and lactate levels start to rise.  

The ATP/CP system (Phosphagen) is responsible for the act of pitching. This system does not require oxygen and is only needed for a few seconds for quick explosive movements.

Pitching is a high intensity movement but it only lasts for about a second. Therefore, pitching does not create lactate buildup. In a research study by Potteiger et al. (1992), lactate levels were examined in pitchers before pitching, after the 4th inning, and after the 7th inning. Results showed that there were no significant differences between lactate levels before and after pitching. “Lactate levels did not vary over time and were within normal resting physiological ranges at all measurement times”(1).

Now that we know lactate starts to build during the glycolytic system and baseball is mainly performed in the ATP/CP system, there is no lactate buildup after pitching. There is no reason to run long distance as a means for post pitching conditioning anymore; which has been passed down from generation to generation for pitchers to do.

Next week, we are going to talk about why pitchers feel sore and what they should be doing to recover and get back on the mound as soon as possible.

1. Potteiger, Jeffrey A., Daniel L. Blessing, and G. Dennis Wilson. "The Physiological Responses to a Single Game of Baseball Pitching." Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 6.1 (1992): 11-18.

-Adam Landecker