Sodium Bicarbonate Supplementation in Athletes

Poznan University of Life Sciences

Status and phase: Completed; Phase 3

Conditions: Supplementation; Sport

Treatments: Dietary Supplement: Sodium bicarbonate supplementation; Dietary Supplement: Placebo treatment

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03165357

ULS00002

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study was to verify the effect of 10-day sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) and placebo (PLA) supplementation on body composition, physical capacity, as well as concentrations of the selected biochemical blood markers in trained athletes, in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial.

Full description

Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) was proposed as an ergogenic agent, because it improves high-intensity and resistance exercise performance. Until now the major limitation to NaHCO3 supplementation has been the gastrointestinal (GI) side effects. Therefore, this study aims to examine the effect of chronic, progressive- dose NaHCO3 ingestion on physical capacity, body composition and concentrations of the selected biochemical blood markers in trained athletes, in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial.

Enrollment: 26 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 20 to 43 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• written consent to participate,
• a current medical clearance to practice sports,
• training experience: at least 2 years (of CrossFit training),
• minimum of 3 workout sessions (CrossFit) a week,
• 20-43 years.

Exclusion criteria

• current injury,
• any health-related contraindication,
• declared general feeling of being unwell,
• unwilling to follow the study protocol.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: Triple Blind

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26 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

Sodium bicarbonate

Experimental group

Description:

Group taking oral NaHCO3 supplementation in a progressive-dose regimen. Interventions: The experimental procedure for each athlete included a 10-day NaHCO3 supplementation in a progressive-dose regimen in order to reduce the likelihood of gastrointestinal side effects (from 37.5 to 150 mg ∙ kg-1). NaHCO3 was administered in the form of unmarked disk-shaped tablets (Alkala T, SANUM, Poland). The tablets were ingested with at least 250 mL of water and could be either swallowed or dissolved in the mouth. On training days the supplements were taken in the morning, in the evening and 1.5 hours before training session. On rest days the supplements were taken in the morning, in the afternoon and in the evening. Between the 10-day NaHCO3 and PLA or a PLA and NaHCO3 treatments, a 14-day washout period was introduced.

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Sodium bicarbonate supplementation

Placebo (maltodextrin)

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

Group taking oral supplementation with placebo (maltodextrin). Interventions: The experimental procedure for each athlete included a 10-day placebo administration. Placebo was ingested with at least 250 mL of water. On training days the supplements were taken in the morning, in the evening and 1.5 hours before training session. On rest days the supplements were taken in the morning, in the afternoon and in the evening. Between the 10-day NaHCO3 and PLA or a PLA and NaHCO3 treatments, a 14-day washout period was introduced.

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Placebo treatment