Mechanisms of action and ergogenic effects associated with NaHCO3 supplementation in physical exercise: a narrative review
Abstract
In exercises where the anaerobic system predominates, there is an accumulation of H+ ions, which generates an acid-base imbalance through changes in pH, impacting fatigue levels and generating metabolic acidosis. Supplementation with NaHCO3 can mitigate the effects of fatigue and optimize performance in activities and/or sports with a predominance of the anaerobic system. Therefore, the present study aimed to carry out a narrative review, in order to elucidate and update knowledge about NaHCO3 supplementation. The review in question was carried out through searches in the PubMed, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases, without date restrictions, using the terms “Sodium Bicarbonate Supplementation”, “NaHCO3” and “Alkalosis” or the same in Portuguese. Scientific articles, master's dissertations and doctoral theses, in English and Portuguese, were considered. It is concluded that supplementation with NaHCO3 plays a fundamental role in physiological processes related to anaerobic metabolism, mainly about reducing acidosis and delaying the onset of fatigue. However, for supplementation to have ergogenic effects, a series of precautions must be taken, especially in relation to the quantity, form and timing of intake. In addition to considering the type of modality and the individuality of the subjects. Finally, when using NaHCO3 in a practical context, it is recommended that the supplementation be tested, preferably away from competition periods.
References
-Breitkreutz, J; Gan, T.G.; Schneider, B.; Kalisch, P. Enteric-coated solid dosage forms containing sodium bicarbonate as a drug substance: an exception from the rule? Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology. Vol 59. Num. 1. 2007. p. 59-65.
-Burke, L.M. Practical issues in evidence-based use of performance supplements: supplement interactions, repeated use and individual responses. Sports Medicine. Vol. 47. 2017. p. 79-100.
-Calvo, J.L.; Xu, H.; Mon-López, D.; Pareja-Galeano, H.; Jiménez, S.L. Effect of sodium bicarbonate contribution on energy metabolism during exercise: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. Vol. 18. Num. 1. 2021. p. 11.
-Carr, A.J.; Hopkins, W.G.; Gore, C.J. Effects of acute alkalosis and acidosis on performance: a meta-analysis. Sports medicine. Vol. 41. 2011. p. 801-814.
-Dias, G.; Silva, V.; Painelli, V.; Sale, C.; Artioli, G.; Gualano, B.; Saunders, B. (In) consistencies in responses to sodium bicarbonate supplementation: a randomised, repeated measures, counterbalanced and double-blind study. PloS one. Vol. 10. Num. 11. 2015. p. e0143086.
-Driller, M.W.; Gregory, J.R.; Williams, A.D.; Fell, J.W. The effects of serial and acute NaHCO3 loading in well-trained cyclists. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research. Vol. 26 Num. 10. 2012. p. 2791-2797
-Driller, M.W.; Gregory, J.R.; Williams, A.D.; Fell, J.W. The effects of chronic sodium bicarbonate ingestion and interval training in highly trained rowers. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism. Vol. 23. Num. 1. 2013. p. 40-47.
-Durkalec-Michalski, K.; Zawieja, E.E.; Podgórski, T.; Łoniewski, I.; Zawieja, B.E.; Warzybok, M.; Jeszka, J. The effect of chronic progressive-dose sodium bicarbonate ingestion on CrossFit-like performance: A double-blind, randomized cross-over trial. PloS one. Vol. 13. Num. 5. 2018a. p. e0197480.
-Durkalec-Michalski, K.; Zawieja, E.E.; Podgórski, T.; Zawieja, B.E.; MichaIłowska, P.; Łoniewski, I.; Jeszka, J. The Effect of a New Sodium Bicarbonate Loading Regimen on Anaerobic Capacity and Wrestling Performance. Nutrients. Vol. 10. Num. 6. 2018b p. 697.
-Durkalec-Michalski, K.; Nowaczyk, P.M.; Adrian, J.; Kamińska, J.; Podgórski, T. The influence of progressive-chronic and acute sodium bicarbonate supplementation on anaerobic power and specific performance in team sports: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study. Nutrition & metabolism. Vol. 17. 2020a. p. 1-15.
-Durkalec-Michalski, K.; Zawieja, E.E.; Zawieja, B.E.; Michałowska, P.; Podgórski, T. The gender dependent influence of sodium bicarbonate supplementation on anaerobic power and specific performance in female and male wrestlers. Scientific reports. Vol. 10. Num. 1. 2020b. p. 1-12.
-Grgic, J.; Rodriguez, R.F.; Garofolini, A.; Saunders, B.; Bishop, D.J.; Schoenfeld, B.J.; Pedisic, Z. Effects of sodium bicarbonate supplementation on muscular strength and endurance: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports Medicine. Vol. 50. Num. 7. 2020. p. 1361-1375.
-Grgic, J.; Pedisic, Z.; Saunders, B.; Artioli, G.G.; Schoenfeld, B.J.; Mckenna, M.J.; Bishop, D.J.; Kreider, R.B.; Stout, J.R.; Kalman, D.S.; Arent, S.M.; Vandusseldorp, T.A.; Lopez, H.L.; Ziegenfuss, T.N.; Burke L.M.; Antonio, J.; Campbell, B. I. International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: sodium bicarbonate and exercise performance. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. Vol. 18. Num. 1. 2021a. p. 61.
-Grgic, J.; Grgic, I.; Del Coso, J.; Schoenfeld, B.J.; Pedisic, Z. Effects of sodium bicarbonate supplementation on exercise performance: an umbrella review. Journal of the international society of sports nutrition. Vol. 18. Num. 1. 2021b. p. 71.
-Grgic, J.; Mikulic, P. Ergogenic Effects of sodium bicarbonate supplementation on middle-, but not short-distance swimming tests: a meta-analysis. Journal of Dietary Supplements. Vol. 19. Num. 6. 2022. p. 791-802.
-Hadzic, M.; Eckstein, M.L.; Schugardt, M. The impact of sodium bicarbonate on performance in response to exercise duration in athletes: a systematic review. Journal of sports science & medicine. Vol. 18. Num. 2019. 2, p. 271.
-Heibel, A.B.; Perim, P.H.; Oliveira, L.F.; McNaughton, L.R.; Saunders, B. Time to optimize supplementation: modifying factors influencing the individual responses to extracellular buffering agents. Frontiers in nutrition. Vol. 5. 2018. p. 35.
-Hollidge-Horvat, M.G.; Parolin, M.L.; Wong, D.; Jones, N.L.; Heigenhauser, G.J. Effect of induced metabolic alkalosis on human skeletal muscle metabolism during exercise. American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism. Vol. 278. Num. 2. 2000. p. E316-E329.
-Jones, N.L.; Sutton, J.R.; Taylor, R.; Toews, C.J. Effect of pH on cardiorespiratory and metabolic responses to exercise. Journal of Applied Physiology. Vol. 43. Num. 6. 1977. p. 959-964.
-Joyce, S.; Minahan, C.; Anderson, M.; Osborne, M. Acute and chronic loading of sodium bicarbonate in highly trained swimmers. European journal of applied physiology. Vol. 112. 2012. p. 461-469.
-Juel, C. Current aspects of lactate exchange: lactate/H+ transport in human skeletal muscle. European journal of applied physiology. Vol. 86. Num. 1. 2001. p. 12-16.
-Kerksick, C.M.; Wilborn, C.D.; Roberts, M.D.; Smith-Ryan, A.; Kleiner, S.M.; Jäger, R.; Collins, R.; Cooke, M.; Davis, J.N.; Galvan, E.; Greenwood, M.; Lowery, L.M.; Wildman, R.; Antonio, J.; Kreider, R.B. ISSN exercise & sports nutrition review update: research & recommendations. Journal of the international society of sports nutrition. Vol. 15. Num. 1. 2018. p. 38.
-Knapik, J.J.; Steelman, R.A.; Hoedebecke, S.S.; Austin, K.G.; Farina, E.K.; Lieberman, H.R. Prevalence of dietary supplement use by athletes: systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports Medicine. Vol. 46. 2016. p. 103-123.
-Lancha-Junior, A.H.; Painelli, V.S.; Saunders, B.; Artioli, G.G. Nutritional strategies to modulate intracellular and extracellular buffering capacity during high-intensity exercise. Sports Medicine. Vol. 45. 2015. p. 71-81.
-Lino, R.S.; Lagares, L.S.; Oliveira, C.V.; Queiroz, C.O.; Pinto, L.L.; Almeida, L.A.; Bonfim, E.S.; Santos, C.P. Effect of sodium bicarbonate supplementation on two different performance indicators in sports: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Physical Activity and Nutrition. Vol. 25. Num. 1. 2021 p. 7.
-Lopes-Silva, J.P.; Reale, R.; Franchini, E. Acute and chronic effect of sodium bicarbonate ingestion on Wingate test performance: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of sports sciences. Vol. 37. Num. 7. 2019. p. 762-771.
-Matson, L.G.; Tran, Z.V. Effects of sodium bicarbonate ingestion on anaerobic performance: a meta-analytic review. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism. Vol. 3. Num. 1. 1993 p. 2-28.
-Maughan, R.J.; Burke, L.M.; Dvorak, J.; Larson-Meyer, D.E.; Peeling, P.; Phillips, S.M.; Rawson, E.S.; Walsh, N.P.; Garthe, I.; Geyer, H.; Meeusen, R.; Van Loon, L.J.; Shirreffs, S.M.; Spriet, L.L.; Stuart, M.; Vernec, A.; Currell, K.; Ali, V.M.; Budgett, R.G.; Ljungqvist, A.; Mountjoy, M.; Pitsiladis, Y.P.; Soligard, T.; Erdener, U.; Engebretsen, L. IOC consensus statement: dietary supplements and the high-performance athlete. International journal of sport nutrition and exercise metabolism. Vol. 28. Num. 2. 2018. p. 104-125.
-Mcardle, W.D.; Katch, F.I.; Katch, V.L. Fisiologia do exercício. Wolters Kluwer Health. 2015.
-McNaughton, L.; Thompson, D. Acute versus chronic sodium bicarbonate ingestion and anaerobic work and power output. Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness. Vol. 41. Num. 4. 2001 p. 456.
-Middlebrook, I.; Peacock, J.; Tinnion, D.J.; Leach, N.K.; Hilton, N.P.; Saunders, B.; Sparks, S.A.; McNaughton, L.R. Capsule Size Alters the Timing of Metabolic Alkalosis Following Sodium Bicarbonate Supplementation. Frontiers in Nutrition. Vol. 8. 2021. p. 27.
-Miranda, W.A.; Barreto, L.B.; Miarka, B.; Salinas, A.E.; Soto, D.A.; Muñoz, E.A.; Brito, C.J. Can Sodium Bicarbonate Supplementation Improve Combat Sports Performance? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Current Nutrition Reports. Vol. 11. Num. 2. 2022. p. 273-282.
-Mueller, S.M. Gehrig, S.M.; Frese, S.; Wagner, C.A.; Boutellier, U.; Toigo, M. Multiday acute sodium bicarbonate intake improves endurance capacity and reduces acidosis in men. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. Vol. 10. Num. 1. 2013. p. 16.
-Peart, D.J.; Siegler, J.C.; Vince, R.V. Practical recommendations for coaches and athletes: a meta-analysis of sodium bicarbonate use for athletic performance. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research. Vol. 26. Num. 7. 2012. p. 1975-1983.
-Rodrigues, A.C.; Machado, W.M.; Oliveira, C.E.; Moreira, O.C. Efeitos agudos e crônicos da suplementação de NaHCO3 durante o exercício: uma revisão crítica. Revista Brasileira de Nutrição Esportiva. São Paulo. Vol. 17. Num. 103. 2023. p. 235-242.
-Sostaric, S.M.; Skinner, S.L.; Brown, M.J.; Sangkabutra, T.; Medved, I.; Medley, T.; Selig, S.E.; Fairweather, I.; Rutar, D.; McKenna, M.J. Alkalosis increases muscle K+ release, but lowers plasma [K+] and delays fatigue during dynamic forearm exercise. The Journal of physiology. Vol. 570. Num. 1. 2006. p. 185-205.
-Wilkes, D.; Gledhill, N.; Smyth, R. Effect of acute induced metabolic alkalosis on 800-m racing time. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. Vol. 15. Num. 4. 1983. p. 277-280.
-Zhou, N.; Fan, Y.; Kong, X.; Wang, X.; Wang, J.; Wu, H. Effects of serial and acute enteric-coated sodium bicarbonate supplementation on anaerobic performance, physiological profile, and metabolomics in healthy young men. Frontiers in Nutrition. Vol. 9. 2022. p. 931671.
Copyright (c) 2024 Wanderson Matheus Lopes Machado, Claudia Eliza Patrocínio de Oliveira, Osvaldo Costa Moreira
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish in this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain the copyright and grant the journal the right of first publication, with work simultaneously licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License BY-NC which allows the sharing of the work with acknowledgment of the authorship of the work and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are authorized to enter into additional contracts separately for non-exclusive distribution of the version of the work published in this journal (eg, publishing in institutional repository or book chapter), with acknowledgment of authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are allowed and encouraged to post and distribute their work online (eg, in institutional repositories or on their personal page) at any point before or during the editorial process, as this can bring about productive change as well as increase impact and impact. citation of published work (See The Effect of Free Access).
