Sodium citrate ingestion increases glycolytic activity but does not enhance 2000 m rowing performance

Abstract

Martins AN, Artoli GG, Franchini E. Sodium citrate ingestion increases glycolytic activity but does not enhance 2000m rowing performance. J. Hum. Sport Exerc. Vol. 5, No. 3, pp. 411-417, 2010. Sodium citrate-induced alkalosis is an ergogenic strategy that has been proven to enhance physical performance in high-intensity exercises by increasing muscle buffer capacity and reducing the influence of H+ on energy production and contractile processes. The objective of the present study was to evaluate whether acute sodium citrate ingestion may contribute to rowing performance in a 2000-m race simulation. Six well-trained competitive rowers took part in the study, but five of them have completed the whole experimental protocol. They were assessed twice for performance and lactate 2.5 h after the ingestion of a 750-mL natural mango juice containing sodium citrate (0.5 g·kg-1) or no substance added (placebo). The two experiments occurred 7-15 days apart. The study was conducted in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over fashion. Performance was assessed in a rower ergometer and blood lactate was determined in both conditions at rest and after exercise. Heart-rate and oxygen consumption were monitored throughout the tests. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon’s signed rank test. Sodium citrate yielded a significantly higher lactate response to exercise than placebo (p<0.05), but no significant differences were found between treatments for performance, heart-rate and oxygen consumption. In conclusion, sodium citrate promoted a favorable metabolic environment for exercise performance but did not exert any influence on simulated rowing performance.