Sodium Bicarbonate Ingestion in a Fasted State Improves 16.1-km Cycling Time-Trial Performance

Abstract

Purpose The use of sodium bicarbonate (SB) as a preexercise ergogenic aid has been extensively studied in short-duration high-intensity exercise. Very few studies have considered the effects of SB ingestion before prolonged high-intensity exercise. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of a 0.3 g·kg-1 body mass dose of SB ingested before the start of a 16.1-km cycling time trial in cyclists. Method Ten trained male cyclists (age, 31.1 ± 9 yr; height, 1.84 ± 0.05 m; body mass, 82.8 ± 8.5 kg; and VO2peak, 60.4 ± 3.1 mL·kg-1·min-1) completed this study. Participants ingested 0.3 g·kg-1 in gelatine (SB-G) and enteric capsules (SB-E) 1 wk apart to determine individualized time-to-peak alkalosis for each ingestion form. Using a randomized crossover design, participants then performed simulated 16.1-km time trials after ingestion of SB-G, SB-E, or a placebo. Results There were significant differences in performance between the SB and placebo ingestion strategies (f = 5.50, P = 0.014, pη2 = 0.38). Performance time was significantly improved by SB ingestion (mean improvement: 34.4 ± 42.6 s (P = 0.031) and 40.4 ± 45.5 s (P = 0.020) for SB-G and SB-E, respectively) compared with the placebo. Gastrointestinal symptoms were lower after SB-E compared with SB-G (36.3 ± 4.5 vs 5.6 ± 3.1 AU, P < 0.001, g = 7.09). Conclusions This study demonstrates that increased buffering capacity after acute preexercise SB ingestion can improve endurance cycling time-trial performances. The use of SB could be considered for use in 16.1-km cycling time trials, but further work is required to establish these effects after a preexercise meal.