What is lactic acid?

Lactic acid is an inorganic compound produced by the human body when muscles work in in low-oxygen conditions, that it is to say when exercise is very intense and muscles are working above the ventilatory anaerobic threshold. This compound, derived from glycolysis in anaerobic conditions, changes the acidity of muscle cells and, when produced at very high rates, can be an obstacle to muscle functioning and cause soreness or even cramps. As soon as exercise intensity decreases, lactic acid is reused: this compound is metabolized again and transformed into energy rather quickly.