THE EFFECTS OF SODIUM PHOSPHATE SUPPLEMENTATION ON ANAEROBIC POWER IN TRAINED MALE ATHLETES

Abstract

Sodium Phosphate has been suggested to improve anaerobic performance. Several mechanisms have been proposed including elevations in serum and intracellular phosphate promoting phosphate-stimulating glycolysis and increased availability of phosphate for creatine phosphate synthesis. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that sodium phosphate supplementation can increase power output in athletes. 12 trained male cyclists participated in a double blind crossover experiment to determine the effects of a sodium phosphate supplement on anaerobic power. Subjects performed a pre-supplementation 30 second Wingate anaerobic power test (resistance = 7.5% body mass) that measured peak power (Watts), and time to peak power (seconds). Subjects were randomly assigned to the sodium phosphate supplement group or a placebo group. The supplement consisted of 1000 milligrams ingested four times per day, for four consecutive days. On day five, subjects were re-tested using the same 30-second Wingate protocol. Repeated measures ANOVA (P < 0.05) reported no significant differences between the pre and post measures for either group. Peak power was 781 Watts vs. 800.8 Watts for pre and post supplementation respectively. Time to peak power was 7.5 seconds, compared to a post supplementation time of 6.2 seconds. In conclusion, our preliminary data suggest that oral sodium phosphate supplementation does not improve anaerobic performance, as measured via a Wingate test, in previously trained male cyclists.