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Cited by 31Sports Performance and TrainingCardiovascular and exercise physiologyMuscle metabolism and nutrition

Effect of sodium bicarbonate on prolonged running performance: A randomized, double-blind, cross-over study

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Freis, Tanja, Hecksteden, Anne, Such, Ulf, Meyer, Tim·2017·PLOS ONE
DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0182158PMC PMC5552294
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: The ability to sustain intense exercise seems to be partially limited by the body's capability to counteract decreases in both intra- and extracellular pH. While the influence of an enhanced buffering capacity via sodium bicarbonate (BICA) on short-term, high-intensity exercise performance has been repeatedly investigated, studies on prolonged endurance performances are comparatively rare, especially for running. The aim of the following study was to assess the ergogenic effects of an oral BICA substitution upon exhaustive intensive endurance running performance. METHOD: In a double-blind randomized cross-over study, 18 trained runners (VO2peak: 61.2 ± 6.4 ml•min-1•kg-1) performed two exhaustive graded exercise tests and two constant load tests (30 main at 95% individual anaerobic threshold (IAT) followed by 110% IAT until exhaustion) after ingestion of either sodium bicarbonate (BICA) (0.3 g/kg) or placebo (4 g NaCl) diluted in 700 ml of water. Time to exhaustion (TTE) in the constant load test was defined as the main outcome measure. Throughout each test respiratory gas exchange measurements were conducted as well as determinations of heart rate, blood gases and blood lactate concentration. RESULTS: TTE in the constant load test did not differ significantly between BICA and placebo conditions (BICA: 39.6 ± 5.6 min, placebo: 39.3 ± 5.6 min; p = 0.78). While pH in the placebo test dropped to a slightly acidotic value two minutes after cessation of exercise (7.34 ± 0.05) the value in the BICA trial remained within the normal range (7.41 ± 0.06) (p < 0.001). In contrast, maximum running speed (Vmax) in the exhaustive graded exercise test was significantly higher with BICA (17.4 ± 1.0 km/h) compared to placebo (17.1 ± 1.0 km/h) (p = 0.009). The numerical difference in maximum oxygen consumption (VO2peak) failed to reach statistical significance (BICA: 61.2 ± 6.4 ml•min-1•kg-1, placebo: 59.8 ± 6.4 ml•min-1•kg-1; p = 0.31). Maximum blood lactate was significantly higher with BICA compared to the corresponding placebo test (BICA: 11.1 ± 2.3 mmol/l, placebo: 8.9 ± 3.0 mmol/l; p < 0.001). At the end of exercise, an acidotic pH value was found in both exhaustive graded exercise tests (p = 0.002). BICA caused gastrointestinal side effects in 15 patients. CONCLUSION: Maximal performance was enhanced significantly after BICA administration. The ergogenic effect of BICA in the exhaustive graded exercise test can most likely be attributed to an increased anaerobic glycolysis that is reflected by an accumulation of lactate. However, TTE in prolonged high-intensity running was not improved. Even at the end of exercise no severe metabolic acidosis was found. Metabolic acidification as one of the dominant factors causing muscular fatigue should therefore be reconsidered. TRIAL REGISTRATION: German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS) DRKS00011284.

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  • Sodium bicarbonate's gastrointestinal side effects may negatively impact performance, limiting its use in populations that may benefit.

    “Although its ergogenic potential is well‐established, sodium bicarbonate's GIS side effects may negatively impact performance (Freis et al. 2017), limiting its use in populations that may benefit (Grgic, Pedisic, et al. 2021; Hilton et al. 2019).”

    From Gastrointestinal Symptoms Associated With Sodium Bicarbonate Supplementation Protocols: A Systematic Review (2026) · cites this paper as Freis et al. 2017

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Authors
Freis, T., Hecksteden, A., Such, U., & Meyer, T.
Affiliations
Saarland University (DE)
Corresponding author
Freis, Tanja
ORCID
Venue
PLOS ONE
Publisher
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Published
2017-08-10
Volume
12
Issue
8
Pages
e0182158
ISSN
1932-6203 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1371/journal.pone.0182158
PMC
PMC5552294
OpenAlex
W2743194038
Cited by
31
References
43
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 4 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 1
FWCI
2.71
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • PLoS ONE (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Muscle metabolism and nutrition
Keywords
sodium bicarbonate, ergogenic aids, endurance running, time to exhaustion, blood pH, acidosis, blood lactate, VO2max, running speed, trained runners, exercise performance, buffering capacity, placebo effect, incremental exercise test, constant load test, blood gases, heart rate, pulmonary gas exchange, peak oxygen uptake
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Double-Blind Method, Exercise Test, Female, Humans, Male, Oxygen Consumption, Physical Endurance, Running, Anaerobic Threshold, Sodium Bicarbonate, Cross-Over Studies, Muscle Fatigue, Young Adult

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