The effect of sodium citrate intake on anaerobic performance in normoxia and after sudden ascent to a moderate altitude.
BACKGROUND
The effect of sodium citrate intake on anaerobic performance in normoxia and acute hypoxia was tested in 17 healthy male subjects.


METHODS
The subjects underwent a high-intensity exercise protocol in conditions of normoxia (N) and at 2320 m above the sea level (H). Each condition was combined with the intake of a placebo (Pl) or sodium citrate (C).


RESULTS
The results obtained showed a drop in the maximum HR (p<0.001), due to the effect of the altitude (185+/-8 vs 176+/-8 bpm for N and H under Pl conditions and 189+/-9 vs 178+/-8 bpm for N and H under C conditions). C caused an increase in the RER (p<0.05) and the maximum Lac (p<0.01). The action of this same factor brought about a drop in the maximum VE (p<0.01) (182.60+/-21.58 vs 177.38+/-20.29 l x min(-1) in N and 185.71+/-22.98 vs 179.06+/-22.91 l x min(-1) in H). The interaction of both C and H affected the maximum concentration of lactate obtained (p<0.01), which fell as regards that expected by the corresponding action of both factors separately (14.33+/-2.94 vs 17.8+/-2.74 mMol x l(-1) with Pl and C in N and 15.29+/-2.15 vs 15.54+/-2.59 mMol x l(-1) in H). There were no significant differences in the length of work time in each of the conditions established.


CONCLUSIONS
It would, therefore, seem that in the conditions described, the intake of sodium citrate does not cause appreciable changes in anaerobic performance.
Feriche Fernández-Castanys
B
B
Department of Physical Education, University of Granada, Granada, Spain. mbelen@ugr.es
Delgado-Fernández
M
M
Alvarez García
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000531:Altitude; D015308:Anaerobic Threshold / Q000187:drug effects*; D002951:Citrates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D011659:Pulmonary Gas Exchange; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation; D000077559:Sodium Citrate
D002951:Citrates; D000077559:Sodium Citrate; D019344:Lactic Acid