Sodium bicarbonate enhances cycling performance in hypoxia 🧂🚴♂️
Competing at altitude? Consider bicarb.
The effect of sodium bicarbonate mini-tablets in a carbohydrate hydrogel on prolonged high-intensity cycling performance and metabolism in acute normobaric hypoxia
Study Details
This new study investigated the effects of 0.3 g/kg sodium bicarbonate on cycling time-trial performance in acute hypoxia 🔍
🚵♂️ 14 trained cyclists were recruited to complete two conditions (placebo and bicarb)
🏔️ Acute hypoxia was 16.7 ± 0.2 FiO2 (~1,900 equivalent altitude)
💊 The sodium bicarb supplement was ingested 90 mins prior to exercise
Key Findings
After sodium bicarb ingestion…
⏱️ 40-km time trial performance was enhanced by 1.2%
🩸 Blood pH and blood bicarbonate significantly increased pre-exercise and throughout
There were also no significant differences in gastrointestinal symptoms between bicarb and placebo ✅
Conclusion
Sodium bicarbonate ingestion can enhances endurance performance in hypoxia and therefore should be a consideration for competing at altitude 📈
Reference
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41483411/
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