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Int J Sports Med 2008; 29(7): 545-551
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-989261
Physiology & Biochemistry

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Pre-Exercise Alkalosis and Acid-Base Recovery

J. C. Siegler1 , S. Keatley1 , A. W. Midgley1 , A. M. Nevill2 , L. R. McNaughton1
  • 1Department of Sport, Health and Exercise Science, University of Hull, Hull, United Kingdom
  • 2School of Sport, Performing Arts and Leisure, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, United Kingdom
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision August 16, 2007

Publication Date:
14 November 2007 (online)

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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

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