title: Effects of induced alkalosis on simulated match performance in elite female water polo players.
abstract: This study investigated the effects of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) ingestion on simulated water polo match performance. Twelve elite players from the Australian National Women's Water Polo Squad (age 23.7 +/- 3.0 yr, height 1.73 +/- 0.05 m, body mass 75.7 +/- 8.0 kg) participated in the study. In a randomized cross-over double-blind design, players ingested 0.3 g/kg of NaHCO3 or placebo 90 min before performing a 59-min match-simulation test (MST) that included 56 x 10-m maximal-sprint swims as the performance measure. Capillary blood samples were obtained preingestion, pre- and post-warm-up, and after each quarter of the MST. Preexercise ingestion of NaHCO3 was effective in enhancing extracellular pH from baseline levels of 7.41; +/- 0.01 (M; +/- 90% confidence limits) to 7.49; +/- 0.01 and bicarbonate levels from 24.4; +/- 0.3 to 28.5; +/- 0.5 mmol/L. The percentage difference in mean sprint times between trials showed no substantial effects of NaHCO3 (0.4; +/- 1.0, effect size = 0.09; +/- 0.23; p = .51). These findings are contrary to those of previous NaHCO3 studies on simulated team-sport performance, but this investigation is unique in that it examined highly trained athletes performing sport-specific tasks. In conclusion, water polo players should not expect substantial enhancement in intermittent-sprint performance from NaHCO3 supplementation.
authors.affiliation: Sports Science Dept., Singapore Sports Council, Singapore.
authors.forename: Frankie
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Ted
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Polglaze
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dawson
authors.forename: Iñigo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mujika
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Clark
mesh_terms: D000471:Alkalosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology*; D054874:Athletic Performance; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013550:Swimming / Q000502:physiology*; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate