The aim of this study is to evaluate the changes in activity of transporters of H+ (monocarboxylate transporters; MCT1, MCT4, NHE) following sodium bicarbonate supplementation and subsequent exercise performance. Fifteen healthy men (age 18-35 years) will be invited to attend the laboratory on five separate visits to a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Participants will be supplemented with a 0.3 g/kg dose of sodium bicarbonate or placebo (Analytical Pharmacy, Brazil) in opaque gelatin capsules. One hour after supplementation they will perform a 1-km time trial and every 10 minutes a blood sample will be collected. A muscle biopsy will be taken prior to supplementation, immediately prior to exercise, and immediately post-exercise. A questionnaire will be also used to evaluate the side-effects associated with sodium bicarbonate supplementation. Muscle and blood samples will be analysed for acidity and H+ and muscle samples will be analysed for H+ transporters (MCT1, MCT4, NHE).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
15
Sodium bicarbonate in powder form ingested in gelatine capsules. This leads to an increase bicarbonate concentration in blood, increasing buffering capacity which may lead to improvements in exercise
Maltodextrin will be used as a placebo as it will not lead to any increases in circulating bicarbonate and, at this dose, will not likely have any physiological effect.
H+ transporter activity
Change in activity of transporters related to H+
Time frame: 5 minutes Post-exercise
Exercise performance
Change in 1 km cycling time-trial performance
Time frame: 1 hour Post-supplementation
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