Abstract

It is known that sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) is used by athletes before exercise to delay fatigue and improve performance based on the knowledge that it removes H⁺ ions from the body through the creation of a metabolic alkalosis state. In this study, the effects of 0.3 g/kg NaHCO₃ given orally to athletes and non-athletes before a 600 m race were compared. After resting for 48 h, 0.3 g/kg NaHCO₃ was given orally as a 500 mL fruit juice and the same determinations made under the same conditions 2 h later. In the study, the time taken to complete race after the administration of NaHCO₃ fell compared to that before its administration in the athletes. The level of HCO₃- before the administration of NaHCO₃ in the athletes was observed to be higher than after the administration of NaHCO₃. A rise in the HLa levels was observed after exercising following the administration of NaHCO₃’ in the athletes. The differences in the other parameters apart from that in pH were not statistically significant (p<0.01), (p<0.05). In conclusion, it can be said that, use of NaHCO₃ at doses low enough not to cause gastrointestinal disturbances is one of the factors that positively affect anaerobic performance in athletes, but this effect is lower than that observed in individuals leading sedentary lives.

Keywords:

Administration, athletes, exercise performance, metabolism, sodium bicarbonate,

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Competing interests

The authors have no competing interests.

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The authors have no competing interests.