The Effect of sodium bicarbonate supplementation on lactic acid, ammonia and exercise performance in 400 meter male runners

In order to comprise the effects of sodium bicarbonate supplementation on anaerobic performance and some plasma metabolites, 16 young male athletes (age 20.58?3.25, height 175.33?2.48 cm and BMI 21.57? 2.68 kg/m2) participated in two 400 m running sessions one hour following sodium bicarbonate or placebo (calcium bicarbonate) supplementation with the counterbalanced order. There were three blood sampling phases (testing condition, 30 min after supplementation and 2 min after 400 m running) in both of the sessions and the blood PH, ammonia, lactate and Hco3- levels were measured. The results showed significantly lower running time in sodium bicarbonate session (57.41? 0.11 sec) than placbo (59.01? 0.78 sec) session (P<0.05). The blood Hco3- levels (29.53?2.64 mmol/L) increased with respect to the resting values (23.13?1.84 mmol/L) with sodium bicarbonate administration, however; it decreased to pre exercise level (20.45?1.92 mmol/L) after running (P<0.05). The Hco3- levels (17.89?2.48 mmol/L) also decreased under the resting values (23.31?2.15 mmol/L) ater running at placebo session (P<0.05). Significant increases was observed in blood lactate levels in both of the session, however the blood PH was only significantly decreased in the placebo session (P<0.05). It can be concluded that alkalosis can be considered as an ergogenic method and can prevent decrease of blood Hco3- during high intensity exercise.