The effect of different dosing strategies of sodium bicarbonate upon collegiate swimmers
Abstract
This study evaluated the efficacy of different dosages of sodium bicarbonate on time trial
performance, blood lactate concentrations and incurred side effects. Participants included
10 volunteer male (n = 3) and female (n = 7) members of the University of Wisconsin-La
Crosse swimming team. The participants were divided into groups by in-season
specialization of 100 yards, 200 yards or 400 yards. Each participant completed a time
trial under a control condition, and under 0.1 g/kg body weight, 0.2 g/kg body weight and
0.3 g/kg body weight. Blood lactate was collected before and after the time trial. Side
effects were recorded every 10 minutes from consumption to 20 minutes post trial.
Performance times were all significantly faster under the experimental conditions vs.
control (p = 0.001). The 0.1 g/kg body weight produced the fastest time (97% of the
control time), then 0.2 g/kg body weight (98.19% of the control time) and 0.3 g/kg body
weight (99.10% of the control time). Pre and post-trial lactate values all increased
proportionately with the dosage of sodium bicarbonate and were significantly higher. than
the control values in both pre-trial (p = 0.02) and post-trial (p = 0.001). Side effects were
similar in type and frequency under the 0.1 g/kg body weight (7) and 0.2 g/kg body
weight (10) conditions, however they increased in severity under the 0.3 g/kg body
weight (27) condition. The findings suggest that bicarbonate loading is effective even at
lower dosages, however, as the dosage increases, side effects can impede any ergogenic
effect. Reduced water consumption during dosing may help to avoid gastro-intestinal side
effects.
Subject
Sodium bicarbonate - Physiological effect
Swimming - Physiological aspects