Although extensive studies have been performed on the ergogenic properties of sodium bicarbonate such as Requena, Zablana, Padial, and Feriche2, few studies have focused on the stacking effect3 of sodium bicarbonate or on prolonged sub-maximal intensity levels. In 2010, Seigler, Midgley, Polman and Lever1 studied the effects of various Sodium Bicarbonate loading protocols on the Time-Dependent Extracellular buffering profile and found that the greatest increase in whole blood pH was established 20 minutes after ingesting 0.1 g.kg-1 (pH 7.432) of Sodium Bicarbonate, 40 minutes after ingesting 0.2 g.kg-1 (pH 7.459), and 60 minutes after ingesting 0.3 g.kg-1 (pH 7.460). Based on these findings this study used a dose protocol of 0.2 g.kg-1, 50 minutes before sub-maximal intensity exercise coupled with a second dose of 0.1 g.kg-1 at 20 minutes to see if sub-maximal intensity exercise could be significantly prolonged. 6 subjects, mixed gender, age 26 – 65 years, ingested the prescribed dosages at the given times pre and during a 1 hour bike time-trial. Early results from the on-going study showed that the Bicarbonate protocol resulted in the subjects riding 2-5% farther in a one-hour time trial.

The Effect of Acute Bicarbonate Stacking on a 1 Hour Bike Time-Trial