The Effects Sodium Bicarbonate Intake on Blood Variables During High Intensity Exercise of Sprinter

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of bicarbonate intake on blood variables during high-intensity training of sprinters. 30 male/female elites with more than 3 years of experience that are registered to S city as a sprinter was categorized into three groups: control group, training group, and HCO3 ⁻ and training group. Training group and HCO3 ⁻ and training group went through a high-intensity exercise program (80-90% HR max) which escalated every 2-3 weeks, for 90 minutes at a time, 5 days a week, 8 weeks in total. HCO3 ⁻ and Training group took in 300㎎ of bicarbonate per one kilogram of body weight, in 90 minutes before the start of the high-intensity exercise program, once a day for 8 weeks. As a result of the study, the effect of bicarbonate intake on blood variables during high-intensity training of sprinters showed a positive effect on the increase of pH and the decrease of lactic acid in HCO3 ⁻ and training group. Also, the increase of Ca²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺ was shown in training group and HCO3 ⁻ and training group, whereas there were no indications of significant change in Mg²⁺ in all three groups. It can be confirmed that the intake of bicarbonate during high-intensity training shows effective changes in the increase of pH and the decrease in lactic acid among changes in blood variables. Therefore, it can be seen that the intake of bicarbonate during high-intensity exercise is effective in improving exercise capacity.