Effects of chronic bicarbonate ingestion on the performance of high-intensity work

We have evaluated whether sodium bicarbonate, taken chronically (0.5?g?·?kg^?1 body mass) for a period of 5 days would improve the performance of eight subjects during 60?s of high-intensity exercise on an electrically braked cycle ergometer. The first test was performed prior to chronic supplementation (pre-ingestion) while the post-ingestion test took place 6 days later. A control test took place approximately 1 month after the cessation of all testing. Acid-base and metabolite data (n?=?7) were measured from arterialised blood both pre- and post-exercise, as well as daily throughout the exercise period. The work completed by the subjects in the control and pre-ingestion test [21.1 (0.9) and 21.1 (0.9) MJ, respectively] was less than (P?F _(2,21)?=?3.4, P?P?F _(5,36)?=?12.5, P?P??1 after 24?h of ingestion. In conclusion, the addition of sodium bicarbonate to a normal diet proved to be of ergogenic benefit in the performance of short-term, high-intensity work.