Since body fluids have a buffering
capacity, the pH levels inside and outside the cells are maintained. The intake of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) increases the pH
level in the blood, and it regulates the speed in which the body becomes acidic
during exercise. In this study, the authors investigated the effect of sodium
bicarbonate (NaHCO3) supplementation at a dose of 0.2 g·kg−1 40
min before an exercise on intermittent endurance performance and
gastrointestinal distress.
The participants
were six healthy male students of a university (age: 21.8 ± 0.75 years old,
height: 170.5 ± 4.68 cm, and weight: 68.0 ± 9.25 kg). The experiments were
conducted twice at 1-week interval. 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 NaHCO3 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 results
indicated that the participants who ingested NaHCO3 had a 14%
extended distance than those who ingested Cont, and 2/3 of those who took NaHCO3 showed
a better motor performance. No significant difference was observed between the
participants who took Cont and NaHCO3 in terms of pH level at
baseline, and the NaHCO3 level was significantly higher during
pre- and post-exercise (p < 0.05). No significant difference was observed
between the participants who took Cont and NaHCO3 in terms of
bicarbonate ion level at baseline, and the NaHCO3 level was
significantly higher during pre- and post-exercise (p < 0.05).
In conclusion, even
at a low dose of 0.2 g∙kg−1, the exercise ability of the
participants 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.
Article by Sakura Tanaka, et al, from Nippon
Sport Science University, Kamoshida-Cho, Japan.
Full access: http://mrw.so/4Mq8lb
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