Abstract
Background: Individual time to peak blood bicarbonate (HCO 3 −) has demonstrated good to excellent reproducibility following ingestion of both 0.2 g kg −1 body mass (BM) and 0.3 g kg −1 BM sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO 3), but the consistency of the time trial (TT) performance response using such an individualised NaHCO 3 ingestion strategy remains unknown. This study therefore evaluated the reproducibility of 4-km TT performance following NaHCO 3 ingestion individualised to time to peak blood bicarbonate. Methods: Eleven trained male cyclists completed five randomised treatments with prior ingestion of 0.2 g kg −1 (SBC2) or 0.3 g kg −1 BM (SBC3) NaHCO 3, on two separate occasions each, or a control trial entailing no supplementation. Participants completed a 4-km cycling TT on a Velotron ergometer where time to complete, power and speed were measured, whilst acid-base blood parameters were also recorded (pH and blood bicarbonate concentration HCO 3 −) and lactate [La −]. Results: Alkalosis was achieved prior to exercise in both SBC2 and SBC3, as pH and HCO 3 − were greater compared to baseline (p < 0.001), with no differences between treatments (p > 0.05). The reproducibility of the mean absolute change from baseline to peak in HCO 3 − was good in SBC2 (r = 0.68) and excellent in SBC3 (r = 0.78). The performance responses following both SBC2 and SBC3 displayed excellent reproducibility (r range = 0.97 to 0.99). Conclusions: Results demonstrate excellent reproducibility of exercise performance following individualised NaHCO 3 ingestion, which is due to the high reproducibility of blood acid-base variables with repeat administration of NaHCO 3. Using a time to peak HCO 3 - strategy seems to cause no dose-dependent effects on performance for exercise of this duration and intensity; therefore, athletes may consider smaller doses of NaHCO 3 to mitigate gastrointestinal (GI) discomfort.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 34 |
Pages (from-to) | 1-10 |
Journal | Sports Medicine - Open |
Volume | 3 |
Issue number | 1 |
Early online date | 21 Sept 2017 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Dec 2017 |
Keywords
- buffering
- alkalosis
- performance
- acid base balance
- ergogenic aids
- reliability
- Acid-base balance
- Performance
- Reliability
- Ergogenic aids
- Buffering
- Alkalosis