Abstract
The aim of this study was to observe the influence of pre-exercise sodium bicarbonate
(NaHCO3) ingestion and varying recovery modes on acid-base recovery from a single bout of
supramaximal exercise. Nine male subjects completed four separate, randomized cycle
ergometer exercise trials to volitional fatigue at 120 % maximum power output, under
the following conditions: 0.3 g · kg-1 BW NaHCO3 ingestion with passive recovery (BICARB P), 0.3 g · kg-1 BW NaHCO3 ingestion with active recovery (BICARB A), placebo ingestion with passive recovery
(PLAC P) and placebo ingestion with active recovery (PLAC A). Capillary blood samples
were obtained every minute for 15 min during recovery. Significant main effects for
pH were observed for time (F = 42.1, p < 0.001), intervention (BICARB and PLAC) (F
= 1117.3, p < 0.001) and recovery condition (F = 150.0, p < 0.001), as the BICARB
condition reduced acid-base perturbation. Significant interaction effects were observed
between conditions (BICARB and PLAC) for active and passive recovery modes (F = 29.1,
p < 0.001) as the active recovery facilitated H+ removal better than the passive condition.
Pre-exercise alkalosis attenuates blood acid-base perturbations from supramaximal
exercise to exhaustion, regardless of whether the recovery mode is active or passive.
These findings suggest that individuals may benefit from introducing a pre-exercise
alkalotic condition while including passive recovery during high-intensity training
protocols.
Key words
sodium bicarbonate - active recovery - pH recovery - supramaximal exercise
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Dr. PhD Jason C. Siegler
Department of Sport, Health and Exercise Science
University of Hull
HU6 7RX Hull
United Kingdom
Phone: + 44 14 82 46 63 37
Fax: + 44 14 82 46 51 49
Email: J.Siegler@hull.ac.uk
