Effect of Low-Dose Sodium Bicarbonate Supplementation on Intermittent Endurance Performance

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the effect of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO 3 ) supplementation at a dose of 0.2 g &middot; kg &minus; 1 40 min before an exercise on intermittent endurance performance and gastrointestinal distress. The participants were six healthy male students of a university. The Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 2 (Yo-Yo IR2) was used for the evaluation of intermittent endurance. The participants ingested water (Cont) or NaHCO 3 independently at three timings. After drinking water, the Yo-Yo IR1 was performed for 2 min as warm-up. After resting for 5 min, the Yo-Yo IR2 was initiated. The measurement items were exercise distance, nutrition intake, biochemical test results, and blood gas analysis findings. The participants who ingested NaHCO 3 had a 14% extended distance than those who ingested Cont, and 2/3 of those who took NaHCO 3 showed a better motor performance. No significant difference was observed between the participants who took Cont and NaHCO 3 in terms of pH level at baseline, and the NaHCO 3 level was significantly higher during pre- and post-exercise (p < 0.05). No significant difference was observed between the participants who took Cont and NaHCO 3 in terms of bicarbonate ion level at baseline, and the NaHCO 3 level was significantly higher during pre- and post-exercise (p < 0.05). In conclusion, even when the participants ingested NaHCO 3 at a low dose (0.2 g &middot; kg &minus; 1 ), their exercise ability during an intermittent endurance test has improved. Furthermore, when digestive absorption is considered, eating a meal in advance may be able to suppress the onset of gastrointestinal distress.