In order to test the effect of artificially induced alkalosis and acidosis on the appearance of blood lactate and work production, six well-trained oarsmen (age= 23.8 ±2.5 wt = 82.0 ±7.5kg.) were tested on three separate occasions after ingestion of 0.3 gm/kg body wt. NH4C1 (acidosis) , NaHC03 (alkalosis) or a placebo (control). Blood was taken from a forearm vein immediately prior to exercise for determination of pH and bicarbonate (HC03). One hour following the ingestion period, subjects rowed on a stationary ergometer at a pre-determined sub-maximal rate for 4 minutes, then underwent an immediate transition to a maximal effort for 2 minutes. Blood samples from an indwelling catheter placed in the cephalic vein were taken at rest and every 30 seconds throughout the 6 minute exercise test, and every 3 minutes during a 30 minute passive recovery period. Pre-exercise blood values demonstrated significant differences (p<0.01) in pH and HC03 in all three conditions. Work outputs were unchanged in the submaximal test and in the maximal test (p>0.05), although a trend toward decreased production was evident in the acidotic condition. Analysis of exercise blood samples using ANOVA with repeated measures revealed that the linear increase in blood lactate concentration([BLA]) during control was significantly greater than acidosis (p<0.01), although [BLa] during alkalosis were consistently elevated above control there was no significant difference in the linear trend (p>0.05). During recovery, there was no significant difference in the rate of lactate disappearance amongst the three conditions. It was concluded that under this protocol artificial manipulation of the acid-base status of the blood does not significantly influence work production despite significantly reduced [BLa] during acidosis. The inability of these pH changes to alter exercise performance emphasizes the relative importance of the intracellular and the extracellular buffer systems in well trained athletes. / Education, Faculty of / Curriculum and Pedagogy (EDCP), Department of / Graduate