Acute Sodium Bicarbonate Supplementation Improves Repeated Sprint Ability in Recreational Female Football Players: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Trial
Source abstract
Abstract
Repeated sprint ability (RSA) is a critical component of football, yet high-intensity effort leads to H+ accumulation. Sodium bicarbonate (SB) is an effective buffering agent, though evidence supporting its use among female football players remains limited. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial (NCT06098794) to examine the acute effects of SB on RSA in recreational female football players. Eleven athletes completed two RSA sessions on a cycle ergometer under SB and placebo (PL) conditions. Each session involved 3 sets of 6 maximal 6 s sprints performed every 30 s, with a 5 min recovery between sets. Participants ingested 0.2 g·kg−1 of the supplement 2 h prior to testing and 0.1 g·kg−1 1 h before the session. The results showed that SB induced a greater blood lactate accumulation (SB: 14.0 ± 4.32 vs. PL: 10.9 ± 3.55 mmol·L−1, p = 0.010) and a greater elimination of CO2 through breathing (p = 0.038), while maintaining muscle oxygenation. These physiological responses were accompanied by improved performance, as SB prevented a decline in mean power output from the first to the second set (SB: +1.4% vs. PL: −3.7%) and reduced the post-test drop in jump height (SB: −2.0% vs. PL: −8.2%). These findings suggest that SB supplementation may be useful to reduce muscular acidosis and fatigue in recreational female football players.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Sports Performance and Training · Cardiovascular and exercise physiology · Renal function and acid-base balance
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Laboratory of Physiology and Biochemistry of Exercise, Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada da Costa, Cruz Quebrada, 1495-761 Oeiras, Portugal
Interdisciplinary Center for the Study of Human Performance (CIPER), Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada da Costa, 1495-761 Oeiras, Portugal
Portugal Football School, Portuguese Football Federation, Avenida das Seleções, 1495-433 Oeiras, Portugal
Escola Superior de Educação, Instituto Politécnico de Setúbal (CIEQV Setúbal), 2914-504 Setúbal, Portugal
Sport Physical Activity and Health Research & Innovation CenTer (SPRINT), Sport Sciences School of Rio Maior (ESDRM) Instituto Politécnico Santarém, 2040-413 Rio Maior, Portugal
Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), Universidade de Évora, Largo dos Colegiais 2, 7000-645 Évora, Portugal
CIDEFES—Universidade Lusófona & CIFI2D—Universidade do Porto, Universidade Lusófona, Campo Grande, 1749-024 Lisboa, Portugal
Funding
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia · CIPER–Interdisciplinary Center for the Study of Human Performance · SPRINT-Sport Physical Activity and Health Research & Innovation Center
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