Effect of sodium bicarbonate administration on metabolic responses to maximal exercise.
Abstract: Administration of bicarbonate has been shown to cause metabolic alkalosis both in man and in horses and is, therefore, thought to increase the buffering capacity of the body and thereby delay the onset of fatigue. However, results regarding the influence of sodium bicarbonate loading on performance both in human athletes and in horses are conflicting. The aim of this study was, therefore, to investigate the metabolic response to a standardised treadmill exercise test to fatigue, in horses given bicarbonate (0.6 g/kg bwt), in comparison to horses given placebo (water). Five Standardbred trotters performed the test on 2 occasions. Venous blood samples were collected before and after administration of test substance, during exercise and during recovery. Muscle biopsy specimens were taken at rest, postexercise and at 15 min of recovery. The increases in pH and concentration of bicarbonate in the blood and the shift seen in base excess showed that the administration of sodium bicarbonate caused metabolic alkalosis. Exercise caused similar decreases in muscle ATP, CP and glycogen and similar increases in muscle IMP, lactate and plasma lactate and uric acid concentrations both in the placebo- and bicarbonate-treated group. The effect upon postexercise muscle and plasma metabolites was similar with both test treatments. Duration of exercise did not change after sodium bicarbonate intake. In conclusion, sodium bicarbonate caused metabolic alkalosis, but did not affect the metabolic response or duration of exercise.
Publication Date: 2002-10-31 PubMed ID: 12405747DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2002.tb05479.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Clinical Trial
- Journal Article
- Randomized Controlled Trial
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research study investigates the effect of sodium bicarbonate administration on metabolic responses and duration of exercise in horses. Findings show that, although sodium bicarbonate causes metabolic alkalosis, it does not influence the metabolic response or the length of exercise undertaken by horses.
Objective of the Research
- The primary goal of the study was to understand the metabolic response to a standardised treadmill exercise in horses given bicarbonate when compared to horses given placebo (water).
- The research also sought to explore the influence of sodium bicarbonate loading on performance in horses, given the conflicting results in previous studies involving humans and horses.
Research Methodology
- Five Standardbred trotters were made to perform the exercise test on two separate occasions.
- Biological samples, including venous blood and muscle biopsy specimens, were collected at multiple stages including before and after administration of the test substance, during exercise, and during recovery.
- The horses were randomly assigned to two treatment groups: one receiving sodium bicarbonate and the other a placebo.
Findings from the Study
- Administration of sodium bicarbonate resulted in metabolic alkalosis, which is an increase in pH and concentration of bicarbonate in the blood.
- The metabolic responses to exercise (decreases in muscle ATP, CP, and glycogen, and increases in muscle IMP, lactate and plasma lactate and uric acid concentrations) were similar in both the placebo and bicarbonate-treated group – indicating that the sodium bicarbonate did not impact these metabolic reactions during exercise.
- The post-workout muscle and plasma metabolites also showed comparable results with both treatments.
- Crucially, the research found that the duration of exercise did not change after sodium bicarbonate intake, challenging the theory that increased body buffering capacity through sodium bicarbonate loading can delay fatigue onset.
Conclusion of the Research
- The findings demonstrate that despite causing metabolic alkalosis, sodium bicarbonate does not influence the metabolic response to exercise, nor does it affect the length of exercise.
- The research raises questions about the benefits of sodium bicarbonate intake for performance enhancement in both human athletes and horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Schuback K, Essén-Gustavsson B, Persson SG.
(2002).
Effect of sodium bicarbonate administration on metabolic responses to maximal exercise.
Equine Vet J Suppl(34), 539-544.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2002.tb05479.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala.
MeSH Terms
- Acid-Base Equilibrium / drug effects
- Acid-Base Equilibrium / physiology
- Alkalosis / chemically induced
- Alkalosis / metabolism
- Alkalosis / veterinary
- Animals
- Cross-Over Studies
- Exercise Test / veterinary
- Female
- Heart Rate
- Horse Diseases / chemically induced
- Horse Diseases / metabolism
- Horses / metabolism
- Horses / physiology
- Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
- Male
- Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
- Physical Exertion / drug effects
- Physical Exertion / physiology
- Sodium Bicarbonate / administration & dosage
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Alberghina D, Piccione G, Amorini AM, D'Urso S, Longo S, Picardi M, Tavazzi B, Lazzarino G. Modulation of circulating purines and pyrimidines by physical exercise in the horse.. Eur J Appl Physiol 2011 Mar;111(3):549-56.
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