This study is investigating whether taking sodium bicarbonate, a common supplement used by endurance athletes, can improve cycling performance during prolonged exercise and in a time trial. Sodium bicarbonate may help reduce muscle acidity, which could delay fatigue and improve performance. The goal of this study is to determine if this supplement can help athletes perform better during long, intense efforts like those seen in real competitions. Participants in this study are well-trained cyclists who will complete two exercise trials in a laboratory setting. Each trial involves three hours of moderate cycling followed by a 20-30-minute time trial at maximum effort. Before each trial, participants will take either sodium bicarbonate or a placebo. The study will measure performance outcomes, such as time trial results, as well as physiological responses, including heart rate, oxygen use, and muscle fatigue. Researchers hope to better understand how sodium bicarbonate can help endurance athletes and provide guidelines for its use in competitive sports.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
15
Intake of 0.3 g/kg bodyweight of maltodextrin with hydrogel as placebo and 0.3 g/kg bodyweight of sodium bicarbonate with hydrogel as Verum
Intake of 0.3 g/kg bodyweight of maltodextrin with hydrogel as placebo and 0.3 g/kg bodyweight of sodium bicarbonate with hydrogel as Verum
Red Bull Athlete Performance Center
Thalgau, Salzburg, Austria
RECRUITINGEndurance performance
Difference in time trial performance (average power in watts) between placebo and verum condition
Time frame: 20-30 minutes, immediately after completion of the time trial for each condition (Placebo and Verum), assessed on test day 1 and test day 2 respectively, with a washout period of 3-7 days between appointments (test days).
Difference in questionnaire score - gastrointestinal symptoms
Difference in questionnaire score gastrointestinal symptoms between placebo and verum condition (0-10, higher score indicates more severe symptoms).
Time frame: 6.5 hours (rest, breakfast, every 30min during 3-hour low-intensity, after TT) for each condition (Placebo and Verum), on test day 1 and test day 2 respectively, with a washout period of 3-7 days between appointments (test days).
Difference in questionnaire score - Energy & Confidence
Difference in questionnaire score energy and confidence in time trial performance between placebo and verum condition (0-10, higher score indicates more Energy or Confidence in time trial performance).
Time frame: 3 hours (every 30min during 3-hour low-intensity) for each condition (Placebo and Verum), assessed on test day 1 and test day 2 respectively, with a washout period of 3-7 days between appointments (test days).
Difference in questionnaire score - rate of perceived exertion
Difference in questionnaire score overall and legs only perceived exertion between placebo and verum condition (0-10, higher score indicates a higher degree of perceived exertion).
Time frame: 3.5 hours (every 30min during 3-hour low-intensity, after TT) for each condition (Placebo and Verum), assessed on test day 1 and test day 2 respectively, with a washout period of 3-7 days between appointments (test days).
Difference in blood count
Difference in capillary blood count between placebo and verum condition
Time frame: 6.5 hours (rest, every 30min during 3-hour low-intensity, after TT) for each condition (Placebo and Verum), assessed on test day 1 and test day 2 respectively, with a washout period of 3-7 days between appointments (test days).
Difference in pH & HCO3 kinetics
Difference in pH \& HCO3 kinetics between placebo, verum and resting verum condition
Time frame: 6.5 hours (rest, breakfast, every 30min during 3-hour low-intensity, after TT) for each condition (Placebo and Verum), on test day 1 and test day 2 respectively, with a washout period of 3-7 days between appointments (test days).
Difference in heart rate
Difference in heart rate (bpm) between placebo and verum condition
Time frame: 3.5 hours, assessed continuously (every second) during 3 hour low-intensity and TT for each condition (Placebo and Verum), on test day 1 and test day 2 respectively, with a washout period of 3-7 days between appointments (test days).
Difference in oxygen uptake
Difference in oxygen uptake (ml/kg/min) between placebo and verum condition
Time frame: 3 hours, assessed for 5 min every 30 min during 3 hour low-intensity for each condition (Placebo and Verum), on test day 1 and test day 2 respectively, with a washout period of 3-7 days between appointments (test days).
Difference in blood lactate concentration
Difference in blood lactate concentration (mmol/L) between placebo and verum condition.
Time frame: 3.5 hours, assessed every 30 min during 3 hour low-intensity and after TT for each condition (Placebo and Verum), on test day 1 and test day 2 respectively, with a washout period of 3-7 days between appointments (test days).
Difference in substrate utilization
Difference in substrate utilization between placebo and verum condition.
Time frame: 3 hours, assessed for 5 min every 30 min during 3 hour low-intensity for each condition (Placebo and Verum), on test day 1 and test day 2 respectively, with a washout period of 3-7 days between appointments (test days).
Difference in ventilation
Difference in ventilation (L/min) between placebo and verum condition
Time frame: 3 hours, assessed for 5 min every 30 min during 3 hour low-intensity for each condition (Placebo and Verum), on test day 1 and test day 2 respectively, with a washout period of 3-7 days between appointments (test days).
Difference in core body temperature
Difference in core body temperature (°) between placebo and verum condition.
Time frame: 3.5 hours, assessed continuously during 3 hour low-intensity and TT for each condition (Placebo and Verum), on test day 1 and test day 2 respectively, with a washout period of 3-7 days between appointments (test days).
Difference in muscle oxygenation
Difference in muscle oxygenation (SmO2) of the vastus lateralis between placebo and verum condition.
Time frame: 3.5 hours, assessed continuously during 3 hour low-intensity and TT for each condition (Placebo and Verum), on test day 1 and test day 2 respectively, with a washout period of 3-7 days between appointments (test days).
Difference in glucose level
Difference in glucose level (mg/dl) between placebo and verum condition.
Time frame: 24 hours, assessed continuously for each condition (Placebo and Verum), on test day 1 and test day 2 respectively, with a washout period of 3-7 days between appointments (test days).
Difference in sodium content
Difference in sodium content (mg/hr) between placebo and verum condition
Time frame: 3.5 hours, assessed during 3 hour low-intensity and TT for each condition (Placebo and Verum), on test day 1 and test day 2 respectively, with a washout period of 3-7 days between appointments (test days).
Difference in sweat rate
Difference in sweat rate (L/hr) between placebo and verum condition.
Time frame: 3.5 hours, assessed during 3 hour low-intensity and TT for each condition (Placebo and Verum), on test day 1 and test day 2 respectively, with a washout period of 3-7 days between appointments (test days).
Difference in next morning weight
Difference in weight (kg) measured in the morning of the test day and the following day (before breakfast after urination and defecation)
Time frame: 24 hours, assessed in the morning for each condition (Placebo and Verum) and the following day, on test day 1 and test day 2 respectively, with a washout period of 3-7 days between appointments (test days).
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