title: Mechanistic Insights into the Efficacy of Sodium Bicarbonate Supplementation to Improve Athletic Performance.
abstract: A large proportion of empirical research and reviews investigating the ergogenic potential of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) supplementation have focused predominately on performance outcomes and only speculate about underlying mechanisms responsible for any benefit. The aim of this review was to critically evaluate the influence of NaHCO3supplementation on mechanisms associated with skeletal muscle fatigue as it translates directly to exercise performance. Mechanistic links between skeletal muscle fatigue, proton accumulation (or metabolic acidosis) and NaHCO3supplementation have been identified to provide a more targeted, evidence-based approach to direct future research, as well as provide practitioners with a contemporary perspective on the potential applications and limitations of this supplement. The mechanisms identified have been broadly categorised under the sections 'Whole-body Metabolism', 'Muscle Physiology' and 'Motor Pathways', and when possible, the performance outcomes of these studies contextualized within an integrative framework of whole-body exercise where other factors such as task demand (e.g. large vs. small muscle groups), cardio-pulmonary and neural control mechanisms may outweigh any localised influence of NaHCO3. Finally, the 'Performance Applications' section provides further interpretation for the practitioner founded on the mechanistic evidence provided in this review and other relevant, applied NaHCO3performance-related studies.
authors.affiliation: School of Science and Health, Sport and Exercise Science, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1792, Penrith, NSW, Australia. j.siegler@westernsydney.edu.au.
authors.forename: Jason C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Siegler
authors.affiliation: School of Science and Health, Sport and Exercise Science, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1792, Penrith, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Paul W M
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Marshall
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sport, Exercise and Active Living (ISEAL), Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bishop
authors.affiliation: Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra, Australia.
authors.forename: Greg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.affiliation: School of Science and Health, Sport and Exercise Science, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1792, Penrith, NSW, Australia.|School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Green