The effects of chronic sodium bicarbonate ingestion and interval training in highly trained rowers

Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2013 Feb;23(1):40-7. doi: 10.1123/ijsnem.23.1.40. Epub 2012 Aug 14.

Abstract

Recent research has reported performance improvements after chronic NaHCO3 ingestion in conjunction with high-intensity interval training (HIT) in moderately trained athletes. The purpose of the current study was to determine the effects of altering plasma H+ concentration during HIT through NaHCO3 ingestion over 4 wk (2 HIT sessions/wk) in 12 Australian representative rowers (M ± SD; age 22 ± 3 yr, mass 76.4 ± 4.2 kg, VO(2peak) 65.50 ± 2.74 ml · kg(-1) · min(-1)). Baseline testing included a 2,000-m time trial and an incremental exercise test. After baseline testing, rowers were allocated to either a chronic NaHCO3 (ALK) or placebo (PLA) group. Starting 90 min before each HIT session, subjects ingested a 0.3-g/kg body mass dose of NaHCO3 or a placebo substance. Fingertip blood samples were taken throughout the study to analyze bicarbonate and pH levels. The ALK group did not produce any additional improvements in 2,000-m rowing performance time compared with PLA (p > .05). Magnitude-based inferential analysis indicated an unclear or trivial effect on 2,000-m power, 2,000-m time, peak power output, and power at 4 mmol/L lactate threshold in the ALK group compared with the PLA group. Although there was no difference between groups, during the study there was a significant mean (± SD) 2,000-m power improvement in both the ALK and PLA groups of 17.8 ± 14.5 and 15.2 ± 18.3 W, respectively. In conclusion, despite overall improvements in rowing performance after 4 wk of HIT, the addition of chronic NaHCO3 supplementation during the training period did not significantly enhance performance further.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Athletic Performance / physiology*
  • Australia
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Exercise / physiology*
  • Exercise Test
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Lactates / blood
  • Male
  • Oxygen Consumption
  • Physical Endurance / drug effects*
  • Physical Endurance / physiology
  • Ships
  • Sodium Bicarbonate / blood
  • Sodium Bicarbonate / pharmacology*
  • Sports / physiology*
  • Water
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Lactates
  • Water
  • Sodium Bicarbonate