Price, M., Moss, P., & Rance, S. (2003). Effects of sodium bicarbonate ingestion on prolonged intermittent exercise. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 35, 1303-1308.

Healthy males (N = 8) performed two 30-min intermittent cycling trials after ingestion of either sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3; 0.3 g/kg) or sodium chloride (salt).

After ingestion, pH rose in both conditions from rest values. Blood lactate peaked at 15 minutes, being significantly higher in the bicarbonate group. Sprint performance in the testing protocol remained more consistent (elevated) in the bicarbonate trial than in the salt condition.

Implication. Sodium bicarbonate ingestion improves sprint performances that are embedded in endurance performances (as often happens in cycling).

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