A study conducted by Bernardo R. Norte at the Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences (RISES) at Liverpool John Moores University has revealed that the co-ingestion of sodium bicarbonate and carbohydrates can help athletes maintain high-intensity performance later in races despite fatigue. The research, supported by the World Athletics Health and Science Department, underscores the critical role of nutrition in athletic performance.
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The study focused on a novel energy gel that combined sodium bicarbonate and carbohydrate consumed during three hours of moderate-intensity exercise, followed by successive high-intensity efforts. Findings indicated that athletes who ingested sodium bicarbonate alongside carbohydrates showed improved performance after prolonged exercise when compared to those who consumed carbohydrates alone, with only mild gastrointestinal discomfort reported.
Dr. Julien B. Louis, a Reader in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology and project supervisor, highlighted that this new gel format provides a valuable nutritional strategy for endurance athletes seeking to achieve blood alkalosis and enhance performance. The research points out that high-intensity exercise can lead to metabolic acidosis, increasing hydrogen ion concentration and lowering blood pH. Blood samples taken from athletes throughout the study confirmed that sodium bicarbonate effectively mitigates acidosis due to its buffering capabilities.
These findings suggest that the benefits of sodium bicarbonate could be significant not only in isolated high-intensity bouts but also in practical applications for training and competition, offering coaches and athletes better insights for performance optimization.