Abstract
BackgroundThe efficacy of sodium citrate supplementation (SC) in exercise performance is unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of SC on skilled tennis performance.MethodsTen Brazilian nationally-ranked young male tennis players (age: 17 ± 1 yrs.; stature: 176.7 ± 5.2 cm; body mass: 68.4 ± 7.9 kg) participated in this crossover, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Upon arrival, at baseline, in both experimental sessions blood was collected, then subjects ingested either sodium citrate (SC - 0.5 g.kg−1BM in capsules of 500 mg) or a placebo (PLA). Two hours later, pre-match blood was collected then skills tests (skill tennis performance test - STPT, repeated-sprint ability shuttle test - RSA) were performed followed by a 1-h simulated match. Immediately following the match, blood was again collected, and STPT, and RSA were administered.ResultsAll metabolic parameters (i.e. base excess, pH, bicarbonate, and blood lactate) increased (p < 0.001) from baseline to pre-match and post-match in SC condition. Each metabolic parameter was greater (p < 0.001) in SC compared to PLA condition at both pre- and post-match. The SC condition elicited a greater (p < 0.01) shot consistency at post-match in the STPT vs. PLA condition (SC: 58.5 ± 14.8% vs. PLA: 40.4 ± 10.4%). A greater (p < 0.001) amount of games won was observed in the simulated match for SC condition vs. PLA condition (SC: 8.0 ± 1.6 vs. PLA: 6.0 ± 1.7). Additionally, the games won during the simulated match in SC condition was positively correlated with percentage shot consistency (r = 0.67, p < 0.001).ConclusionsThe current findings suggest that SC supplementation is an effective ergogenic aid to enhance skilled tennis performance.
Highlights
Tennis match play consists of intense intermittent activity and potentially long duration; the magnitude of physiological demands during match play can be considerable
skill tennis performance test (STPT) vs. PLA condition (SC) did show a significantly greater (p < 0.01) percentage shot consistency at postmatch compared to PLA (SC: 58.5 ± 14.8% vs. PLA: 40.4 ± 10.4%)
In SC there was a significant correlation between number of games won during the simulated match with both post-match percentage shot consistency (r = 0.67, p < 0.001) and post-match pH (r = 0.70, p < 0.0005) (Fig. 2)
Summary
Tennis match play consists of intense intermittent activity and potentially long duration (i.e. up to 5 h); the magnitude of physiological demands during match play can be considerable. Various forms of fatigue exist during tennis match play [11], peripheral fatigue due to diminished ATPase activity compromises muscle contraction capabilities [12]. In tennis, the muscle damage associated with the intermittent nature of tennis may lead to decreased Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum negatively affecting force production capabilities, and possibly lead to mistimed strokes [18]. Strategies, such as nutritional supplementation, which may delay these mechanism of fatigue during match play warrant investigation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of SC on skilled tennis performance
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