Sodium Bicarbonate Supplementation in Athletes

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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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.

Detailed Description
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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.

Official Title
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The Effect of Sodium Bicarbonate Supplementation on Physical Capacity and Body Composition in Trained Athletes

Conditions
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Supplementation, Sport

Intervention / Treatment
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* Dietary Supplement: Sodium bicarbonate supplementation
* Dietary Supplement: Placebo treatment


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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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.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 20 Years
Maximum Age: 43 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Triple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Sodium bicarbonate<br>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. | Dietary Supplement: Sodium bicarbonate supplementation<br> <br> |
| Placebo Comparator: Placebo (maltodextrin)<br>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. | Dietary Supplement: Placebo treatment<br> <br> |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Changes in aerobic capacity after sodium bicarbonate supplementation | The incremental cycling test (ICT) | Baseline and after 10 days | 
| Changes in specific performance capacity after sodium bicarbonate supplementation | The CrossFit-specific physical fitness test: Fight Gone Bad (FGB) | Baseline and after 10 days | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Changes in fat mass and fat free mass after sodium bicarbonate supplementation | Fat mass (kg) and fat free mass (kg) analysis | Baseline and after 10 days | 
| Changes of red and white blood cell concentration in blood after sodium bicarbonate supplementation | Red blood cells (RBC) [mln/mm³] and white blood cells (WBC) [mln/mm³] concentration analysis | Baseline and after 10 days | 
| Changes in blood glucose and hemoglobin concentration after sodium bicarbonate supplementation | Hemoglobin (Hb) [g/dl] and glucose [g/dl] concentration analysis | Baseline and after 10 days | 
| Changes in blood hematocrit levels after sodium bicarbonate supplementation | Hematocrit (HCT) [%] level analysis | Baseline and after 10 days | 
| Changes of lactate and pyruvate concentration in blood after sodium bicarbonate supplementation | Lactate [mmol/L] and pyruvate [mmol/L] concentration analysis | Baseline and after 10 days | 
| Changes of creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase activity in blood after sodium bicarbonate supplementation | Creatine kinase [U/L] and lactate dehydrogenase [U/L] activity analysis | Baseline and after 10 days | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Crossfit, Sodium bicarbonate, Physical capacity