title: Influence of sodium bicarbonate on performance and hydration in lightweight rowing.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The effect of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) ingestion on prerace hydration status and on 2000 m ergometer performance in elite lightweight rowers was examined using a randomized, cross-over, double-blinded design.
  
  
  METHODS
  To simulate body mass (BM) management strategies common to lightweight rowing, oarsmen reduced BM by approx. 4% in the 24 h preceding the trials, and, in the 2 h before performance, undertook nutritional recovery consisting of mean 43.2 kJ/kg, 2.2 g of CHO per kilogram, 31.8 mg of Na+ per kilogram, 24.3 mL of H2O per kilogram, and NaHCO3 (0.3 g of NaHCO3 per kilogram BM) or placebo (PL; 0.15 g of corn flour per kilogram BM) at 70 to 90 min before racing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 25 min before performance, NaHCO3 had increased blood pH (7.48 ± 0.02 vs PL: 7.41 ± 0.03, P = .005) and bicarbonate concentrations (29.1 ± 1.8 vs PL: 23.9 ± 1.6 mmol/L, P < .001), whereas BM, urine specific gravity, and plasma volume changes were similar between trials. Rowing ergometer times were similar between trials (NaHCO3: 397.8 ± 12.6; PL: 398.6 ± 13.8 s, P = .417), whereas posttest bicarbonate (11.6 ± 2.3 vs 9.4 ± 1.8 mmol/L, P = .003) and lactate concentration increases (13.4 ± 1.7 vs 11.9 ± 1.9 mmol/L, P = .001) were greater with NaHCO3.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sodium bicarbonate did not further enhance rehydration or performance in lightweight rowers when undertaking recommended post-weigh-in nutritional recovery strategies.
authors.affiliation: School of Exercise Science, Australian Catholic University, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Peter D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Kupcis
authors.forename: Gary J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Slater
authors.forename: Cathryn L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Pruscino
authors.forename: Justin G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Kemp
mesh_terms: D000136:Acid-Base Equilibrium / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D000328:Adult; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003681:Dehydration / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D002149:Energy Intake; D016552:Ergometry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000187:drug effects*; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate