Bicarbonate Loading to Enhance Training and Competitive Performance
Abstract
Bicarbonate loading is a popular ergogenic aid used primarily by athletes in short-duration, high-intensity sporting events and competitions. Controlled experimental trials have shown that small (worthwhile) benefits can obtained from acute doses of bicarbonate taken before exercise. Gastrointestinal problems encountered by some athletes limit the widespread use of this practice, however. The transfer of positive research findings to the competitive environment has proved problematic for some individuals. More recent applications involve serial ingestion of bicarbonate over several days before competition or during high-intensity training sessions over a few weeks. A number of research questions need to be addressed to enhance applications of bicarbonate loading in the elite sport environment. This commentary examines some of research and practical issues of bicarbonate loading used to enhance both training and competitive performance.
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The common or recommended dose of oral sodium bicarbonate supplement is 300 mg/kg body mass.
“The common or recommended dose of oral sodium bicarbonate supplement is 300 mg·kg−1 body mass [23,24,25,26,27,28]”
From Effects of Enteric-Coated Formulation of Sodium Bicarbonate on Bicarbonate Absorption and Gastrointestinal Discomfort (2024) · cites this paper as [27]
Administration of sodium bicarbonate supplements is associated with gastrointestinal symptoms in approximately 30% of athletes.
“However, administration of sodium bicarbonate supplements is associated with adverse effects, i.e., gastrointestinal symptoms, in ~30% of athletes [25,26,27].”
From Effects of Enteric-Coated Formulation of Sodium Bicarbonate on Bicarbonate Absorption and Gastrointestinal Discomfort (2024) · cites this paper as [27]
Gastrointestinal symptoms can be a problematic side-effect of sodium bicarbonate ingestion.
“However, gastrointestinal symptoms can be a problematic side-effect.”
From Acute enteric-coated sodium bicarbonate has negligible effect on anaerobic performance but affects metabolomics and attenuates the gastrointestinal response (2022) · cites this paper as Burke and Pyne, 2007
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References 21 · Cited by 68
- Authors
- Burke, L. M., & Pyne, D. B.
- Venue
- International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance
- Publisher
- Human Kinetics
- Published
- 2007-03
- Volume
- 2
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 93-97
- ISSN
- 1555-0265 (ISSN-L)
- 1555-0273
- OpenAlex
- W2152999108
- Cited by
- 68
- References
- 21
- Citations by year
- 2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 6
- FWCI
- 1.73
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- University of Canberra Research Portal (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Muscle metabolism and nutrition
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
- Keywords
- ergogenic aids, high-intensity exercise, competitive performance, training performance, gastrointestinal tolerance, elite sport
- MeSH terms
- Bicarbonates, Competitive Behavior, Humans, Sports, Sports Medicine, Exercise Tolerance, Dietary Supplements
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