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Cited by 40Sports Performance and TrainingCardiovascular and exercise physiologyMuscle metabolism and nutrition

The effects of serial and acute NaHCO3 loading in well-trained cyclists

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Driller, Matthew W., Gregory, John R., Williams, Andrew D., Fell, James W.·2012·Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
DOI 10.1519/jsc.0b013e318241e18a
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Abstract

Many studies have reported substantial performance gains in well-trained athletes after the acute ingestion of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3). However, acute NaHCO3 ingestion is not always practical. The aim of this study was to compare acute NaHCO3 loading with serial NaHCO3 loading (split doses over 3 days) in well-trained cyclists. Eight male cyclists (mean ± SD; age = 28 ± 8 years; VO2peak = 66.8 ± 8.4 ml·kg(-1)·min(-1)) completed 3 tests in a double-blind, randomized design over a 3-week timeframe: acute NaHCO3 loading (AL), serial NaHCO3 loading (SL), and a placebo loading condition (P). After each loading protocol, the cyclists completed a 4-minute performance test on a cycling ergometer. The VO2 was measured during each test, and blood samples were taken throughout the study to measure lactate, bicarbonate ion concentration ([HCO3(-)]), and pH levels. Both the AL and SL trials produced a significantly higher average power in the 4-minute test (mean ± SD; 3.3 ± 2.0 and 2.3 ± 2.5%; p < 0.001 and p = 0.01, respectively) when compared with the P trial, with no significant difference between AL and SL trials (p = 0.29). The AL trial produced a significantly greater postloading alkalosis as determined by blood [HCO3(-)] when compared with the SL and P trials. Both acute and serial NaHCO3 loading significantly improved 4-minute cycling performance when compared with that in a placebo trial. However, serial NaHCO3 loading may provide a convenient and practical alternative approa…

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Crossref · 10.1519/jsc.0b013e318241e18a

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  • The ergogenic effects of sodium bicarbonate are mostly established for exercise tasks of high-intensity that last between 30 s and 12 min.

    “Based on a comprehensive review of the international Society of Sports Nutrition position on sodium bicarbonate and exercise performance, the ergogenic effects of sodium bicarbonate are mostly established for exercise tasks of high-intensity that last between 30 s and 12 min (Driller et al., 2012; Mündel, 2018; Grgic et al., 2021; Grgic, 2022).”

    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 Driller et al., 2012

  • Sodium bicarbonate increases extracellular pH and promotes H+ and lactate efflux from active muscles.

    “Various studies have confirmed that sodium bicarbonate increases extracellular pH and promotes H+ and lactate efflux from active muscles (Driller et al., 2012; Rezaei et al., 2019).”

    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 Driller et al., 2012

  • Gastrointestinal symptoms associated with sodium bicarbonate include nausea, vomiting, bloating, abdominal cramps, flatulence, and diarrhea.

    “Of note, doses around and above 0.2–0.3 g/kg have been linked to reports of gastrointestinal symptoms (GIS) (Grgic, Pedisic, et al. 2021), which include, but are not limited to, nausea, vomiting, bloating, abdominal cramps, flatulence, and diarrhea (Dalle et al. 2019; Driller et al. 2012; Miller et al. 2016; Saunders et al. 2014; Varovic et al. 2023).”

    From Gastrointestinal Symptoms Associated With Sodium Bicarbonate Supplementation Protocols: A Systematic Review (2026) · cites this paper as Driller et al. 2012

  • Acute sodium bicarbonate doses in the acute-versus-chronic studies ranged from 0.2 g/kg (Zhou, Fan, Kong, et al. 2022; Aktitiz et al. 2024) to 0.3 g/kg (Driller et al. 2012; Carr et al. 2012; Joyce et al. 2012).

    “Acute doses ranged from 0.2 g/kg (Zhou, Fan, Kong, et al. 2022; Aktitiz et al. 2024) to 0.3 g/kg (Driller et al. 2012; Carr et al. 2012; Joyce et al. 2012).”

    From Gastrointestinal Symptoms Associated With Sodium Bicarbonate Supplementation Protocols: A Systematic Review (2026) · cites this paper as Driller et al. 2012

  • Three of the five acute-versus-chronic investigations provided sodium bicarbonate in capsules (Driller et al. 2012; Carr et al. 2012; Joyce et al. 2012), while another described the treatments as 'enteric-coated' but did not specify if they were capsules or tablets (Zhou, Fan, Kong, et al. 2022).

    “Three of these investigations provided sodium bicarbonate in capsules (Driller et al. 2012; Carr et al. 2012; Joyce et al. 2012), while another one described the treatments as “enteric‐coated” but did not specify if they were capsules or tablets (Zhou, Fan, Kong, et al. 2022).”

    From Gastrointestinal Symptoms Associated With Sodium Bicarbonate Supplementation Protocols: A Systematic Review (2026) · cites this paper as Driller et al. 2012

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Authors
Driller, M. W., Gregory, J. R., Williams, A. D., & Fell, J. W.
Affiliations
University of Tasmania (AU)
Corresponding author
Driller, Matthew W.
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
Publisher
Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Published
2012-10
Volume
26
Issue
10
Pages
2791-2797
ISSN
1064-8011 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1519/jsc.0b013e318241e18a
OpenAlex
W2052299456
Cited by
40
References
33
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 2 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 1
FWCI
1.36
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • eCite Digital Repository (University of Tasmania) (submittedVersion)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
  • National Health and Medical Research Council
  • National Medical Research Council
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, acute ingestion, cyclists, cycling performance, alkalosis, blood bicarbonate, blood lactate, blood pH, well-trained athletes
MeSH terms
Adult, Alkalosis, Bicycling, Double-Blind Method, Humans, Male, Oxygen Consumption, Sodium Bicarbonate, Lactic Acid, Athletic Performance, Young Adult, Athletes

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