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Sodium Bicarbonate Intake on Endurance Performance

NCT06826222 · Status: RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 19

Last updated 2025-02-13

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Sodium bicarbonate (SB) is one of the ergogenic aids that enhance short-duration, high-intensity sports performance by improving the buffering system. However, studies suggest that SB may also be beneficial for prolonged high-intensity endurance exercises, where anaerobic glycolysis plays a role. The commonly used SB dose in these studies (0.3 g/kg) often leads to gastrointestinal (GI) discomfort, necessitating alternative approaches. Among various protocols, consuming SB with a carbohydrate-rich meal has been identified as an effective strategy to mitigate GI distress. Although some studies indicate a positive effect of SB on performance, research involving female athletes remains limited, comprising only 7.4% of the total studies. Given that women generally have lower muscle mass and fewer type II muscle fibers, their glycolytic capacity might be lower, and SB could have distinct physiological effects on them. While SB has been shown to enhance anaerobic performance in female athletes, its impact on high-intensity endurance exercise performance has not yet been investigated. This study aims to examine the effects of acute sodium bicarbonate ingestion, consumed with a carbohydrate-rich meal, on prolonged high-intensity running performance, acid-base balance, and GI response in female runners. In this double-blind, crossover-designed study, 19 recreational female runners will be randomly assigned to either a bicarbonate or a placebo group. The bicarbonate group will ingest 0.3 g/kg SB, while the placebo group will consume 0.03 g/kg salt, both 90 minutes before exercise, alongside a carbohydrate-rich meal. Participants will then complete a 10 km time-trial run, aiming for their best performance. Throughout the study, GI symptoms, exercise completion time, blood lactate, pH, bicarbonate levels, heart rate, and perceived exertion during exercise will be assessed. Performance tests will be conducted twice during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, with a 3-7 days washout period between trials. A two-way repeated measures ANOVA will be used to compare the effects of the interventions.

Conditions

  • The Effects of Sodium Bicarbonate Supplementation on Endurance Performance in Recreational Female Runners

Interventions

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Sodium Bicarbonate (NaHCO3)

Participants will complete two interventions: sodium bicarbonate (SB) and placebo (PL). In the SB condition, participants will receive 0.3 g/kg SB, while in the PL condition, they will receive 0.03 g/kg table salt, administered double-blind.

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Sodium Chloride

Participants will complete two interventions: sodium bicarbonate (SB) and placebo (PL). In the SB condition, participants will receive 0.3 g/kg SB, while in the PL condition, they will receive 0.03 g/kg table salt, administered double-blind.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Hacettepe University

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
DOUBLE
Model
CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
40 Years
Sex
FEMALE
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2024-11-03
Primary Completion
2025-11-01
Completion
2026-12-31

Countries

  • Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT06826222 on ClinicalTrials.gov