High doses of sodium bicarbonate increase lactate levels and delay exhaustion in a cycling performance test

Abstract Objectives It is well established that ingestion of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO 3 ) causes metabolic alkalosis. However, there is no consensus in terms of optimal NaHCO 3 doses leading to enhanced performance. This study aimed to determine the effects of different NaHCO 3 doses on performance and lactate clearance in non-professional cyclists. Methods Twenty-one cyclists performed the following three double-blind trials: 1) ingestion of 0.3 g · kg –1 body weight (BW) of placebo; 2) ingestion of 0.1 g · kg –1 BW NaHCO 3 plus 0.2 g · kg –1 BW placebo (0.1 BC); and 3) ingestion of 0.3 g · kg –1 BW NaHCO 3 (0.3 BC). Performance was evaluated after warm-up on the bike followed by a performance test until exhaustion. Lactate levels were monitored in blood samples before and immediately after performance tests. Results Lactate levels in the blood were significantly higher after exercise in 0.3 BC and 0.1 BC (15.12 ± 0.92 versus 10.3 ± 1.22 and 13.24 ± 0.87 versus 10.3 ± 1.22 mmol/L; P P  = 0.01). Conclusions The present study found that 0.3 g · kg –1 BW NaHCO 3 is effective in improving performance and improving blood lactate levels in cyclists compared with control and 0.1 g · kg –1 BW NaHCO 3.