Sodium bicarbonate ingestion alters the slow but not the fast phase of V̇O2 kinetics

Nicolas Berger, Lars R. Mcnaughton, Simon Keatley, Daryl P. Wilkerson, Andrew M. Jones

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    17 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Purpose: The influence of metabolic alkalosis (ALK) on pulmonary O 2 uptake (pV̇O2) kinetics during high-intensity cycle exercise is controversial. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of ALK induced by sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) ingestion on pV̇O2 kinetics, using a sufficient number of repeat-step transitions to provide high confidence in the results obtained. Methods: Seven healthy males completed step tests to a work rate requiring 80% pV̇O 2max on six separate occasions: three times after ingestion of 0.3 g·kg-1 body mass NaHCO3 in 1 L of fluid, and three times after ingestion of a placebo (CON). Blood samples were taken to assess changes in acid-base balance, and pV̇O2 was measured breath-by-breath. Results: NaHCO3 ingestion significantly increased blood pH and [bicarbonate] both before and during exercise relative to the control condition (P < 0.001). The time constant of the phase II pV̇O2 response was not different between conditions (CON: 29 ± 6 vs ALK: 32 ± 7 s; P = 0.21). However, the onset of the pV̇O2 slow component was delayed by NaHCO3 ingestion (CON: 120 ± 19 vs ALK: 147 ± 34 s; P < 0.01), resulting in a significantly reduced end-exercise pV̇O2 (CON: 2.88 ± 0.19 vs ALK: 2.79 ± 0.23 L-min-1; P < 0.05). Conclusions: Metabolic alkalosis has no effect on phase II pV̇O2 kinetics but alters the pV̇O2 slow-component response, possibly as a result of the effects of NaHCO3 ingestion on muscle pH.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1909-1917
    Number of pages9
    JournalMedicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
    Volume38
    Issue number11
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 2006

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Sodium bicarbonate ingestion alters the slow but not the fast phase of V̇O2 kinetics'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this