Author(s)

Sakura Tanaka, Daichi Yamaguchi, Shoji Igawa

Department of Sport Science, College of Sport Sciences, Nippon Sport Science University, Kamoshida-Cho, Japan.

In this study, we 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. 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 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 when the participants ingested NaHCO₃ at a low dose (0.2 g·kg⁻¹), their exercise ability 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.

Sodium Bicarbonate, Yo-Yo IR2, Blood pH, High-Intensity Intermittent Endurance, Alkalosis

Tanaka, S. , Yamaguchi, D. and Igawa, S. (2018) Effect of Low-Dose Sodium Bicarbonate Supplementation on Intermittent Endurance Performance. Food and Nutrition Sciences, 9, 1316-1326. doi: 10.4236/fns.2018.911094.