Abstract
BackgroundSodium bicarbonate (SB) has been proposed as an ergogenic aid, as it improves high-intensity and resistance exercise performance. However, no studies have yet investigated SB application in CrossFit. This study examined the effects of chronic, progressive-dose SB ingestion on CrossFit-like performance and aerobic capacity.MethodsIn a randomized, double-blind, cross-over trial, 21 CrossFit-trained participants were randomly allocated to 2 groups and underwent 2 trials separated by a 14-day washout period. Participants ingested either up to 150 mg∙kg-1 of SB in a progressive-dose regimen or placebo for 10 days. Before and after each trial, Fight Gone Bad (FGB) and incremental cycling (ICT) tests were performed. In order to examine biochemical responses, blood samples were obtained prior to and 3 min after completing each exercise test.ResultsNo gastrointestinal (GI) side effects were reported during the entire protocol. The overall FGB performance improved under SB by ~6.1% (p<0.001) and it was ~3.1% higher compared to post placebo (PLApost) (p = 0.040). The number of repetitions completed in each round also improved under SB (mean from baseline: +5.8% to +6.4%). Moreover, in ICT, the time to ventilatory threshold (VT) (~8:25 min SBpost vs. ~8:00 min PLApost, p = 0.020), workload at VT (~218 W SBpost vs. ~208 W PLApost, p = 0.037) and heart rate at VT (~165 bpm SBpost vs. ~161 bpm PLApost, p = 0.030) showed higher SBpost than PLApost. Furthermore, the maximum carbon dioxide production increased under SB by ~4.8% (from ~3604 mL∙min-1 to ~3776 mL∙min-1, p = 0.049). Pyruvate concentration and creatine kinase activity before ICT showed higher SBpost than PLApost (~0.32 mmol∙L-1 vs. ~0.26 mmol∙L-1, p = 0.001; ~275 U∙L-1 vs. ~250 U∙L-1, p = 0.010, respectively). However, the small sample size limits the wide-application of our results.ConclusionsProgressive-dose SB ingestion regimen eliminated GI side effects and improved CrossFit-like performance, as well as delayed ventilatory threshold occurrence.
Highlights
In order to allow muscle contraction, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is used by myosin adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) resulting in energy production
The overall Fight Gone Bad (FGB) performance improved under Sodium bicarbonate (SB) by ~6.1% (p
The increasing intracellular acidosis is implicated as one of many factors contributing to the perception of fatigue [4], which is due to the inhibition of key enzymes in energy metabolism [5] as well as the impairment of muscle excitation [6]
Summary
In order to allow muscle contraction, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is used by myosin adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) resulting in energy production. High-intensity exercise results in the accumulation of lactate and hydrogen ions (H+) as a consequence of intensified anaerobic glycolysis when limited amounts of oxygen are available to the working muscle cells [2]. During high-intensity exercise, intramuscular acidity is regulated by intracellular, extracellular and dynamic buffering [9], and bicarbonate (HCO3-) in particular is a major contributor to the buffering system in blood [10]. In theory, increasing HCO3- concentrations could augment high-intensity performance. It has been suggested that metabolic alkalosis in skeletal muscles results in the acceleration of glycogenolysis, increasing the reliance on muscle glycogen stores as a fuel during exercise [15]. Sodium bicarbonate (SB) has been proposed as an ergogenic aid, as it improves high-intensity and resistance exercise performance. This study examined the effects of chronic, progressive-dose SB ingestion on CrossFit-like performance and aerobic capacity
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