Comparison of Local Supplementation and Delayed Release of Sodium Bicarbonate on Serum Levels of Bicarbonate and Blood Lactate in Middle Distance Runners

Fakhrpour, Roghayeh; Asadi, Ata; Rezaeimanesh, Davar

doi:10.48308/joeppa.2024.237174.1300

Comparison of Local Supplementation and Delayed Release of Sodium Bicarbonate on Serum Levels of Bicarbonate and Blood Lactate in Middle Distance Runners

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz, Iran

² Department of General Courses and Basic Sciences, the College of Maritime Economics and Management, Khorramshahr University of Marine Science and Technology, Khorramshahr, Iran

10.48308/joeppa.2024.237174.1300

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Examining the factors that contribute in enhancing the efficiency and performance of athletes is a subject that has captured the attention of coaches and athletes. For this reason, in addition to the conditioning program during the preparatory period, they utilize various strategies to help athletes reach their peak performance, which may involve the use of supplements. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the effects of locally supplemented and delayed-release sodium bicarbonate on serum bicarbonate and blood lactate levels in middle distance runners.
Materials and Methods: Twenty-four athletes (age, 22.75 ± 4.24 years; height, 173.3 ± 5.68 cm; weight, 63.3 ± 3.61) who trained regularly and had a minimum of two years of training experience took part in this study, voluntarily. The subjects were randomly divided into three groups: one receiving sodium bicarbonate enclosed in delayed-release capsules (CAP), another receiving topical sodium bicarbonate (PRL), and a third receiving a placebo (Place). Lactate, bicarbonate, blood pH, digestive discomfort questionnaire, and the record for 1500 m run test were measured. Blood samples were taken in three stages: at rest, after participants took supplements or placebos, and two minutes after running 1500 meters. The samples were analyzed by a laboratory expert using a blood gas analyzer. To statistically analyze the data, a 3x3 repeated measures analysis of variance, Bonferroni post hoc test, and one-way ANOVA were utilized at a significance level of p ≤ 0.05.
Results: The findings of this research revealed that the pH changes in the three groups of PRL, CAP and Place show different behavior. The results of the follow-up test showed that these changes in the CAP group are significantly different than the PRL and Place groups (P<0.05). Also, the results showed that changes in bicarbonate in the CAP group were significantly higher than the PRL and Place groups (P<0.05). In the CAP group, the amount of bicarbonate increased significantly after taking the supplement. There was no significant differences in resting lactate levels and 1500m record among the three groups following the use of topical sodium bicarbonate and sodium bicarbonate delayed release capsules (P>0.05).
Conclusion: Based on the results obtained, the alkaline reserves of the body can be increased by supplementing with sodium bicarbonate in the delayed release method. Since one of the main causes of fatigue in intense training is the decrease in intracellular pH through the increase in lactic acid production, the use of sodium bicarbonate supplementation in delayed release capsules can have a significant and positive effect on blood pH in middle distance runners.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Sport nutrition

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