What happens to lactic acid in the body post-exercise?

After exercise, lactic acid is primarily converted back to glucose, a process known as gluconeogenesis. This conversion mainly occurs in the liver, where lactic acid is transformed back to pyruvate and then into glucose through various metabolic pathways. This is important because it helps to replenish glycogen stores in the muscles and liver, which can be depleted during intense physical activity.

Additionally, lactic acid can also be used by the heart as a source of energy or can be converted to various other compounds that the body can utilize for energy or metabolic needs.

While lactic acid does not accumulate indefinitely, and it does not have no effect on performance, its conversion back to glucose is vital for recovery and metabolic balance after exercise, making the body more efficient in handling metabolic byproducts.