Abstract
Pre-exercise alkalosis and an active recovery improve the physiological state of recovery
through slightly different mechanisms (e. g. directly increasing extracellular bicarbonate
(HCO3-) vs. increasing blood flow), and combining the two conditions may provide even greater
influence on blood acid-base recovery from high-intensity exercise. Nine subjects
completed four trials (Placebo Active (PLAC A), sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) Active (BICARB A), Placebo Passive (PLAC P) and NaHCO3 Passive (BICARB P)), each consisting of three, 30-s maximal efforts with athree min recovery between
each effort. Pre-exercisealkalosis was evident in both NaHCO3 conditions, as pH and
HCO3- were significantly higher than both Placebo conditions (pH: 7.46±0.04 vs. 7.39±0.02;
HCO3-: 28.8±1.9 vs. 23.2±1.4 mmol·L−1; p<0.001). In terms of performance, significant interactions were observed for average
speed (p<0.05), with higher speeds evident in the BICARB A condition (3.9±0.3 vs. 3.7±0.4 m·s−1). Total distance covered was different (p=0.05), with post hoc differences evident
between the BICARB A and PLAC P conditions (368±33 vs. 364±35 m). These data suggest that successive 30-s high intensity
performance may be improved when coupled with NaHCO3 supplementation.
Key words
sodium bicarbonate - active recovery - pH recovery - performance
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Correspondence
Dr. Jason C. SieglerPhD
University of Hull
Sport, Health and Exercise
Science
Department of Sport,
Health and Exercise Science
HU6 7RX Hull
United Kingdom
Telefon: +44/1482/466 337
Fax: +44/1482/465 149
eMail: J.Siegler@hull.ac.uk
