Summer is winding down and for some student athletes, the fall season has already begun. Any sport carries the risk of head impacts and concussions, so I wanted to update all the concerned parents out there about some simple advice that can protect the brains of your young athletes.
For years we’ve been told that as exercise intensity increases, lactic acid builds up, your muscles start to burn, and you slow down. This lactic acid then remains trapped in your muscles and causes soreness the next day unless you work it out with stretching. As I’ve mentioned before, not only does lactic acid have nothing to do with DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness), but lactate is actually a fuel source your body uses to sustain intense activity. Lactate isn’t actually a metabolic waste product, but rather an important molecule that fuels your workouts, causes rapid improvements to your health and fitness, and can even heal your brain after concussions. Learn why we got it wrong all these years and all the ways it helps you.