Lactic acid is a byproduct of energy metabolism. When it accrues in your muscles, you experience an intense burning sensation and ultimately are unable to continue training. Sodium bicarbonate has been touted as a means to counteract the buildup of lactic acid. By buffering acidity, it theoretically helps to suppress the production of this byproduct and allows you to continue training for longer periods of time. However, sodium bicarbonate tends to cause gastric disorders.
Most people experience extreme cramps and stomach pain upon ingestion.
Thus, any potential benefit is neutralized by these side effects. If you are competing in an event, you may want to experiment with sodium bicarbonate to see if you experience any side effects. Make sure you experiment before your competition, not on the day that you compete. If your stomach can tolerate this supplement, try it on contest day. It can provide some benefit in enhancing performance.