title: The effect of sodium bicarbonate ingestion on back squat and bench press exercise to failure.
abstract: This study examined the acute effects of NaHCO3 ingestion on repetitions to failure and rating of perceived exertion in the back squat and bench press in trained men. Eight resistance-trained men took part in this double-blind, randomized crossover experimental study whereby they ingested NaHCO3 (0.3 g·kg(-1) body mass) or placebo (sodium chloride NaCl: 0.045 g·kg(-1) body mass) solution 60 minutes before completing a bout of resistance exercise (3 sets of bench press and back squat exercise to failure at an intensity of 80% 1 repetition maximum). Experimental conditions were separated by at least 48 hours. Participants completed more repetitions to failure in the back squat after NaHCO3 ingestion (p = 0.04) but not for bench press (p = 0.679). Mean ± SD of total repetitions was 31.3 ± 15.3 and 24.6 ± 16.2 for back squat and 28.7 ± 12.2 and 26.7 ± 10.2 for bench press in NaHCO3 and placebo conditions, respectively. Repetitions to failure decreased as set increased for the back squat and bench press (p = 0.001, both). Rating of perceived exertion significantly increased with set for the back squat and bench press (p = 0.002, both). There was no significant change in blood lactate across time or between conditions. There were however treatment × time interactions for blood pH (p = 0.014) and blood HCO3 concentration (p = 0.001). After ingestion, blood pH and HCO3 (p = 0.008) concentrations were greater for the NaHCO3 condition compared with the placebo condition (p < 0.001). The results of this study suggest that sodium bicarbonate ingestion can enhance resistance exercise performance using a repetition to failure protocol in the first exercise in a resistance exercise session.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomolecular and Sports Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Duncan
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Weldon
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Price
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology; D001639:Bicarbonates / Q000097:blood; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration / Q000187:drug effects; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000187:drug effects*; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000187:drug effects; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000379:methods; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014891:Weight Lifting / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001639:Bicarbonates; D019344:Lactic Acid; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate