Effects of Sodium Bicarbonate on Endurance Performance (SBEP)

University of Salzburg

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Performance; Athlete; Healthy; Well-trained Athletes

Treatments: Dietary Supplement: Verum then Placebo; Dietary Supplement: Placebo then Verum

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07171047

BICARB_Haller

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study is investigating whether taking sodium bicarbonate, a common supplement used by endurance athletes, can improve cycling performance during prolonged exercise and in a time trial. Sodium bicarbonate may help reduce muscle acidity, which could delay fatigue and improve performance. The goal of this study is to determine if this supplement can help athletes perform better during long, intense efforts like those seen in real competitions.

Participants in this study are well-trained cyclists who will complete two exercise trials in a laboratory setting. Each trial involves three hours of moderate cycling followed by a 20-30-minute time trial at maximum effort. Before each trial, participants will take either sodium bicarbonate or a placebo.

The study will measure performance outcomes, such as time trial results, as well as physiological responses, including heart rate, oxygen use, and muscle fatigue. Researchers hope to better understand how sodium bicarbonate can help endurance athletes and provide guidelines for its use in competitive sports.

Enrollment: 15 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 16 to 50 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• age 16-50 years
• well-trained cyclists
• Proof of physical fitness (e.g. sports medical examination required) for measurements with higher intensities (e.g. endurance tests, competition simulation)
• >10h endurance training per week

Exclusion criteria

• Systemic disease or other known pathology in the organs: heart, lungs, kidney, stomach, spleen, liver, gall bladder, and intestines.
• Evidence of pulmonary disease: forced expiratory volume in one second/forced expiratory volume < 70% with/without symptoms (cough, sputum) or other evidence of pulmonologic disease.

Diabetes II.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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15 participants in 2 patient groups

Placebo then Verum

Other group

Description:

Placebo then Verum 3 hour low-intensity ride followed by a 16 km time trial for both conditions. Supplementation of Placebo or Verum before the exercise start.

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Placebo then Verum

Verum then Placebo

Other group

Description:

Verum then Placebo 3 hour low-intensity ride followed by a 16 km time trial for both conditions. Supplementation of Placebo or Verum before the exercise start.

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Verum then Placebo