ACSM Clinical Exercise Physiologist (CEP) Practice Exam

The primary role of lactate in the body is to act as a buffer for pH levels. During intense exercise or anaerobic activity, the body shifts to glycolysis for energy production, leading to an increase in lactate levels. As lactate accumulates, it can help prevent a significant drop in pH, which would occur due to the production of hydrogen ions. By buffering these changes in pH, lactate plays a vital role in maintaining an optimal environment for muscle function and overall metabolic processes.

Lactate also serves as a signaling molecule in various biochemical pathways and can be converted back to glucose in the liver through gluconeogenesis, further supporting energy production. However, its main function in the context provided relates to how it helps to maintain pH balance during high-intensity activities.