Sodium bicarbonate ingestion and repeated swim sprint performance

J.C. Siegler, D.O. Gleadall-Siddall

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44 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Siegler, JC and Gleadall-Siddall, D0. Sodium bicarbonate ingestion and repeated swim sprint performance. J Strength Cond Res 24(11): 3105-3111, 2010-The purpose of the present investigation was to observe the ergogenic potential of 0.3 g·kg−1 of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) in competitive, nonelite swimmers using a repeated swim sprint design that eliminated the technical component of turning. Six male (181.2 ± 7.2 cm; 80.3 ± 11.9 kg; 50.8 ± 5.5 ml·kg−1·min−1O2max) and 8 female (168.8 ± 5.6 cm; 75.3 ± 10.1 kg; 38.8 ± 2.6 ml·kg−1·min−1O2max) swimmers completed 2 trial conditions (NaHCO3 [BICARB] and NaCl placebo [PLAC]) implemented in a randomized (counterbalanced), single blind manner, each separated by 1 week. Swimmers were paired according to ability and completed 8, 25-m front crawl maximal effort sprints each separated by 5 seconds. Blood acid-base status was assessed preingestion, pre, and postswim via capillary finger sticks, and total swim time was calculated as a performance measure. Total swim time was significantly decreased in the BICARB compared to PLAC condition (p = 0.04), with the BICARB condition resulting in a 2% decrease in total swim time compared to the PLAC condition (159.4 ± 25.4 vs. 163.2 ± 25.6 seconds; mean difference = 4.4 seconds; 95% confidence interval = 8.7-0.1). Blood analysis revealed significantly elevated blood buffering potential preswim (pH: BICARB = 7.48 ± 0.01, PLAC = 7.41 ± 0.01) along with a significant decrease in extracellular K+ (BICARB = 4.0 ± 0.1 mmol·L−1, PLAC = 4.6 ± 0.1 mmol·L−1). The findings suggest that 0.3 g·kg−1 NaHCO3 ingested 2.5 hours before exercise enhances the blood buffering potential and may positively influence swim performance.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3105-3111
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Strength and Conditioning Research
Volume24
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2010
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

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Keywords

  • metabolic alkalosis
  • ergogenic aid
  • buffering potential

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