Metabolic Buffer
Monitor your body's bicarbonate reserves, which help buffer acid produced during intense exercise.
What is a Metabolic Buffer?
A Metabolic Buffer is a chemical system in the body that maintains a stable pH by neutralizing excessive acid or base produced during metabolism. (see Alkaline Buffer - Bicarbonate).
Why does urine carry Metabolic Buffers?
Metabolic buffers are present in urine primarily to protect the urinary tract from damage and to facilitate the excretion of metabolic acids without drastically lowering the urine's pH.
Why track Metabolic Buffers?
Metabolic buffers are the "biological shock absorbers" that prevent our internal chemistry from collapsing under the stress of high-intensity training. Much like a car's exhaust system, your metabolism creates acidic waste—specifically hydrogen ions—as it burns fuel. If these ions accumulate, they stall glycolysis and trigger that painful "burning" sensation that ultimately shuts down muscle contraction. By optimizing your buffering capacity, you essentially install a high-performance cooling system for your cells, delaying the critical drop in muscle pH and extending your ability to push through the burn before fatigue sets in.
Push past the burn. Use BodyCheck to track your metabolic buffers and delay the 'wall' during your hardest intervals.