Respiratory Alkalosis Enhances Sprint Performance

Abstract

Glycolysis dominates energy provision in long sprint events like 200 to 400 m running, 50 m swimming, 500 m speed skating or short term flat out testing like the Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT). High glycolytic rates lead to the accumulation of lactate and a drop in pH with an impeding effect on glycolytic key enzymes. After bicarbonate ingestions an increase in minimum power has been reported in the WAnT. However, many athletes are reluctant to use this legal ergogenic aid because it is ingested 2 to 3 hours pre exercise and may also cause performance detrimental side effects like severe gastrointestinal distress and diarrhea. PURPOSE: To examine the effect of a controlled hyperventilation-induced hypocapnic alkalosis (HYP) on WAnT performance and metabolism. METHODS: Ten male subjects (age: 26.6+ 4.9 yrs, height: 184.4+ 6.1 cm, body mass: 81.0+ 7.2 kg) performed a WAnT after a standardised preparation without (CON) or with HYP in randomised order. Mechanical power (Pmech), blood lactate concentration (BLC) and acid base status and oxygen uptake were analysed. RESULTS: HYP decreased (p < 0.05) pCO2 (22.5+ 1.6 vs. 40.5+ 2.8 mmHg) and increased (p < 0.05) pH (7.61+ 0.03 vs. 7.41+ 0.01) pre WAnT. Average Pmech (713.5+ 43.9 vs. 681.1+ 40.8 W), maximum BLC (15.2+ 2.0 vs. 14.4+ 1.9 mmol l-1) and the increase in pCO2 during WAnT (14.7+ 3.3 vs. 3.5+ 2.7 mmHg) were higher (p < 0.05), minimum pH (7.16+ 0.03 vs. 7.15+ 0.02) was unchanged, and oxygen uptake during WAnT (867+ 191 vs. 940+ 184 ml) was lower (p < 0.05) at HYP than at CON. CONCLUSIONS: Controlled hyperventilation-induced hypocapnic alkalosis increased WAnT performance based on an increase in the glycolytic energy, which is higher than a corresponding decrease in aerobic energy.