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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2024 Sep 16;16(18):3123.
doi: 10.3390/nu16183123.

Neither an Individualised Nor a Standardised Sodium Bicarbonate Strategy Improved Performance in High-Intensity Repeated Swimming, or a Subsequent 200 m Swimming Time Trial in Highly Trained Female Swimmers

Josh W Newbury  1 , Matthew Cole  2 , Adam L Kelly  1 , Lewis A Gough  1
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Neither an Individualised Nor a Standardised Sodium Bicarbonate Strategy Improved Performance in High-Intensity Repeated Swimming, or a Subsequent 200 m Swimming Time Trial in Highly Trained Female Swimmers

Josh W Newbury et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

Inconsistent swimming performances are often observed following sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) ingestion, possibly because the time taken to reach peak blood buffering capacity is highly variable between individuals. Personalising NaHCO3 ingestion based on time-to-peak blood bicarbonate (HCO3-) could be a solution; however, this strategy is yet to be explored in swimming, or adequately compared to standardised NaHCO3 approaches. Therefore, six highly trained female swimmers ingested 0.3 g·kg BM-1 NaHCO3 in capsules to pre-determine their individual time-to-peak blood HCO3-. They then participated in three experimental trials, consisting of a 6 × 75 m repeated sprint swimming test, followed by a 200 m maximal time trial effort after 30 min active recovery. These experiments were conducted consuming a supplement at three different timings: individualised NaHCO3 (IND: 105-195 min pre-exercise); standardised NaHCO3 (STND: 150 min pre-exercise); and placebo (PLA: 90 min pre-exercise). Both NaHCO3 strategies produced similar increases in blood HCO3- prior to exercise (IND: +6.8 vs. STND: +6.1 mmol·L-1, p < 0.05 vs. PLA) and fully recovered blood HCO3- during active recovery (IND: +6.0 vs. STND: +6.3 mmol·L-1 vs. PLA, p < 0.05). However, there were no improvements in the mean 75 m swimming time (IND: 48.2 ± 4.8 vs. STND: 48.9 ± 5.8 vs. PLA: 49.1 ± 5.1 s, p = 0.302) nor 200 m maximal swimming (IND: 133.6 ± 5.0 vs. STND: 133.6 ± 4.7 vs. PLA: 133.3 ± 4.4 s, p = 0.746). Regardless of the ingestion strategy, NaHCO3 does not appear to improve exercise performance in highly trained female swimmers.

Keywords: alkalosis; competition swimming; ergogenic aids; sport nutrition; supplements.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Changes in blood HCO3− concentration observed across the study timeframe. * = IND different to PLA (p < 0.05). # = STND different to PLA (p < 0.05).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Changes in the apparent SID observed across the study timeframe.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Changes in the blood values of (A) sodium (Na+), (B) potassium (K+), (C) chloride (Cl−), and (D) calcium (Ca2+) across the study timeframe.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Changes in blood La− concentration observed across the study timeframe.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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