Abstract
BackgroundThis study examined the effect of simultaneous supplementation of extracellular buffer sodium bicarbonate (SB) and intracellular buffer beta-alanine (BA) on maximal sprint swimming.MethodsThirteen competitive male swimmers completed 4 different treatments (placebo [PL], SB, BA + PL, and BA + SB) in a crossover procedure. PL or SB supplementation (0.3 g/kg body weight) was ingested 60 min before two maximal 100-m freestyle swims that were performed with a passive recovery of 12-min between each swim. Because of the known long washout period for carnosine, four weeks of BA supplementation (4.8 g per day) was started after the first week of PL or SB supplementation and performance testing.ResultsThe first maximal swims were similar, but the increase in time of the second versus the first 100-m swimming time was 1.5 s more (p < 0.05) in PL than in SB. Blood pH values were significantly (p < 0.05) greater in the SB and in the BA + SB groups compared to the PL and BA + PL values. There were no differences in peak blood lactate between the treatments.ConclusionSupplementing with SB prior to performing maximal sprint swimming with repetitions under 60 s improves performance. However, co-supplementation with SB and BA did not confer any added benefit on maximal swim performance.
Highlights
This study examined the effect of simultaneous supplementation of extracellular buffer sodium bicarbonate (SB) and intracellular buffer beta-alanine (BA) on maximal sprint swimming
Subjects reported no side effects related to SB intake, but symptoms of paraesthesia was experienced by all subjects consuming BA
Blood variables Lactate, pH There were no significant differences between the groups lactates in measurements III and IV
Summary
This study examined the effect of simultaneous supplementation of extracellular buffer sodium bicarbonate (SB) and intracellular buffer beta-alanine (BA) on maximal sprint swimming. Timing of ingestion ranging from 60 min - 180 min before exercise did not influence buffering capacity or the ergogenic potential of SB (0.3g·kg-1 body mass) as assessed by repeated sprint ability. Gao et al [3] and Siegler et al [12] have demonstrated that swimmers ingesting 0.3g·kg-1 body mass of SB can enhance blood buffering potential and positively influence interval swim performance. Lindh and colleagues [13] have shown that SB supplementation (0.3g·kg-1 body mass) can improve a single 200 m freestyle performance time in elite male competitors, most likely by increasing extra-cellular buffering capacity
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