Peak blood lactate after 400 m sprinting in sprinters and long-distance runners.

Peak blood lactate following 400 m sprinting was determined in 8 sprinters and 8 long-distance runners. The mean velocity of 400 m run and peak blood lactate were significantly higher in the sprinters than in the long-distance runners. It was suggested that peak blood lactate may be a useful indication of anaerobic work capacity in long-distance runners, but not in sprinters.