The athlete, cocaine, and lactic acidosis: a hypothesis

Abstract

The muscular makeup of the sprint-trained athlete may make him especially susceptible to severe lactic acidosis from cocaine-induced seizures. Because of a high percentage of glycolytic muscle fibers (compared to the muscle fiber type of the endurance-trained athlete), the lactic acidosis and heat generated from muscular activity is much greater in the sprint-trained athlete than in the endurance-trained athlete. The role of cocaine in producing seizures and increasing glycolysis, both of which produce lactic acidosis, is discussed. The hypothesis is presented that the elite athlete may be at greater risk of death than the general population from lactic acidosis produced as a result of cocaine-induced seizures.