title: Influence of sodium bicarbonate on sprint performance: relationship to dosage.
abstract: The purpose of this investigation was to determine the minimum oral dosage of bicarbonate needed to significantly elevate blood bicarbonate and the influence of induced alkalosis on performance in high-intensity, short-duration exercise. Nine endurance-trained cyclists performed four 2-min sprints on separate occasions using an isokinetic cycle ergometer (Fitron, Cybex, Inc.). One hour before each test, the cyclists consumed either a placebo (A), a solution of 0.10 g NaHCO3.kg-1 body weight (B), a solution of 0.15 g NaHCO3.kg-1 body weight (C), or a solution of 0.20 g NaHCO3.kg-1 body weight (D) in random order. Arterialized venous blood was taken before (PRE) and after (POST) ingestion, and 1, 3, 5, 10, and 15 min following the 2-min bike sprint. The results showed a significant increase in POST blood bicarbonate, and the elevation was incrementally related to the dosage. There was, however, no significant improvement in performance. Total work (mean +/- SE) for each treatment (N.m per 2 min) were: A, 47,267 (+/- 2,472); B, 47,004 (+/- 3,094); C, 46,312 (+/- 2,964); and D, 47,190 (+/- 2,621). The results of this study show that incremental doses of NaHCO3 of 0.20 g.kg-1 and below produce incremental elevations in blood bicarbonate but do not produce improvements in performance for a sprint bout lasting 2 min.
authors.affiliation: Human Performance Laboratory, Ball State University, Muncie, IN 47306.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Horswill
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Costill
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Fink
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Flynn
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Kirwan
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Houmard
mesh_terms: D000136:Acid-Base Equilibrium / Q000187:drug effects; D000328:Adult; D001639:Bicarbonates / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D001642:Bicycling; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010807:Physical Endurance
chemical_list: D001639:Bicarbonates