title: Effect of sodium bicarbonate supplementation on 2000-m rowing performance.
abstract: The ability to buffer H+ could be vital to exercise performance, as high concentrations of H+ contribute to the development of fatigue.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The authors examined the effect of sodium bicarbonate (SB) supplementation on 2000-m rowing-ergometer performance.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty male rowers (age 23 ± 4 y, height 1.85 ± 0.08 m, mass 82.5 ± 8.9 kg, 2000-m personal-best time 409 ± 16 s) completed two 2000-m rowing-ergometer time trials, separated by 48 h. Participants were supplemented before exercise with 0.3 g/kg body mass of SB or a placebo (maltodextrin; PLA). The trials were conducted using a double-blinded, randomized, counterbalanced crossover study design. Time to complete the 2000-m and time taken for each 500-m split were recorded. Blood lactate, bicarbonate, pH, and base excess were determined preexercise, immediately postexercise, and 5 min postexercise. Performance data were analyzed using paired t tests, as well as magnitude-based inferences; hematological data were analyzed using a repeated-measures ANOVA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using paired t tests, there was no benefit of SB over PLA (P = .095). However, using magnitude-based inferences there was a likely beneficial effect of SB compared with PLA (PLA 412.0 ± 15.1 s, SB 410.7 ± 14.9 s). Furthermore, SB was 0.5 ± 1.2 s faster than PLA in the third 500 m (P = .035; possibly beneficial) and 1.1 ± 1.7 s faster in the fourth 500 m (P = .004; very likely beneficial). All hematological data were different between SB and PLA and were different from preexercise to postexercise.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SB supplementation is likely to be beneficial to the performance of those competing in 2000-m rowing events, particularly in the second half of the event.
authors.affiliation: School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK.
authors.forename: Ruth M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Hobson
authors.forename: Roger C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Perry
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Macklin
authors.forename: Kirsty J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Elliott-Sale
authors.forename: Craig
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sale
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration / Q000187:drug effects; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019344:Lactic Acid; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate