Acidosis, but Not Alkalosis, Affects Anaerobic Metabolism and Performance in a 4-km Time Trial

This study aimed to determine the effect of preexercise metabolic acidosis and alkalosis on power output (PO) and aerobic and anaerobic energy expenditure during a 4-km cycling time trial (TT). Methods: Eleven recreationally trained cyclists (V˙O2peak 54.1 ± 9.3 mL·kg−1·min−1) performed a 4-km TT 100 min after ingesting in a double-blind matter 0.15 g·kg−1 of body mass of ammonium chloride (NH4Cl, acidosis), 0.3 g·kg−1 of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3, alkalosis), or 0.15 g·kg−1 of CaCO3 (placebo). A preliminary study (n = 7) was conducted to establish the optimal doses to promote the desirable preexercise blood pH alterations without gastrointestinal distress. Data for PO, aerobic and anaerobic energy expenditure, and blood and respiratory parameters were averaged for each 1 km and compared between conditions using two-way repeated-measures ANOVA (condition and distance factors). Gastrointestinal discomfort was analyzed qualitatively. Results: Compared with placebo (pH 7.37 ± 0.02, [HCO3−]: 27.5 ± 2.6 mmol·L−1), the NaHCO3 ingestion resulted in a preexercise blood alkalosis (pH +0.06 ± 0.04, [HCO3−]: +4.4 ± 2.0 mmol·L−1, P
Source: Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise - Category: Sports Medicine Tags: Applied Sciences Source Type: research