Abstract

PURPOSE
The aim of this study was to determine the effect and reliability of acute and chronic sodium bicarbonate ingestion for 2000-m rowing ergometer performance (watts) and blood bicarbonate concentration [HCO3-].
METHODS
In a crossover study, 7 well-trained rowers performed paired 2000-m rowing ergometer trials under 3 double-blinded conditions: (1) 0.3 grams per kilogram of body mass (g/kg BM) acute bicarbonate; (2) 0.5 g/kg BM daily chronic bicarbonate for 3 d; and (3) calcium carbonate placebo, in semi-counterbalanced order. For 2000-m performance and [HCO3-], we examined differences in effects between conditions via pairwise comparisons, with differences interpreted in relation to the likelihood of exceeding smallest worthwhile change thresholds for each variable. We also calculated the within-subject variation (percent typical error).
RESULTS
There were only trivial differences in 2000-m performance between placebo (277 ± 60 W), acute bicarbonate (280 ± 65 W) and chronic bicarbonate (282 ± 65 W); however, [HCO3-] was substantially greater after acute bicarbonate, than with chronic loading and placebo. Typical error for 2000-m mean power was 2.1% (90% confidence interval 1.4 to 4.0%) for acute bicarbonate, 3.6% (2.5 to 7.0%) for chronic bicarbonate, and 1.6% (1.1 to 3.0%) for placebo. Postsupplementation [HCO3-] typical error was 7.3% (5.0 to 14.5%) for acute bicarbonate, 2.9% (2.0 to 5.7%) for chronic bicarbonate and 6.0% (1.4 to 11.9%) for placebo.
CONCLUSION
Performance in 2000-m rowing ergometer trials may not substantially improve after acute or chronic bicarbonate loading. However, performances will be reliable with both acute and chronic bicarbonate loading protocols.

Links

Aggregator Full Text

Authors

Carr AJ, Slater GJ, Gore CJ, Dawson B, Burke LM

Institution

Physiology Dept, Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra, Australia.

Source

International journal of sports physiology and performance 7:2 2012 Jun pg 152-60

MeSH

Administration, Oral
Adolescent
Adult
Alkalosis
Athletic Performance
Buffers
Capsules
Cross-Over Studies
Dietary Supplements
Double-Blind Method
Female
Humans
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
Male
Physical Endurance
Placebos
Reproducibility of Results
Sodium Bicarbonate
Time Factors
Treatment Outcome
Young Adult

Pub Type(s)

Comparative Study
Controlled Clinical Trial
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22634964