TOW #22: Article

"Why does lactic acid build up in muscles? And why does it cause soreness?"
By: Steven M. Roth

     Every athlete knows the feeling of lactic build up in their legs, it isn't the most enjoyable thing. As a runner and soccer player myself, I always wonder why I feel lactic acid in my legs and what I can do to maybe prevent it. This article, "Why does lactic acid build up in muscles? And why does it cause soreness?" is mainly about what lactic acid actually is, and why it may happen. Author Steven M. Roth states that when oxygen is limited to the body, in converts substances into lactate, causing the burning sensation and numbness lactic acid causes. It also includes glucose breakdown, but the article also states that the building of lactate is actually the body's protection from permanent damage during extreme exertion of the muscles. In terms of devices used by Steven M. Roth, the article is introduced with a description of himself, "a professor in the department of kinesiology at the University of Maryland, explains." By establishing who he is to the audience, he appeals to ethos and convinces the audience that he is a credible source for the topic. Leading into the article itself, Steven M. Roth includes facts throughout the whole piece of writing to explain what lactate is and how it effects the human body. By using facts, he also establishes logos because his reasons can be backed up with accurate data. The audience can be any athlete, or someone who has experienced lactic acid through exercise. This article explains in detail what lactic build up is. As part of the audience myself, I thought Steven M. Roth was effective. I believe as part of the audience, Steven M. Roth proves his purpose with facts that appeal to both ethos and logos. Also, since the article is from scientificamerican.com, a reader can assume that this article is credible because the website is categorized as a website with research and accurate facts.