NCT07171047

Effects of Sodium Bicarbonate on Endurance Performance

Effects of Sodium Bicarbonate Supplementation on Endurance Performance and Physiological Responses During Simulated Cycling Competition

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 19 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Salzburg · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 16 Years – 50 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

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.

Conditions

• Healthy
• Athlete
• Well-trained Athletes
• Performance

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT	Placebo then 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
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT	Verum then Placebo	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

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-09-15
• Primary completion: 2025-12-12
• Completion: 2025-12-12
• First posted: 2025-09-12
• Last updated: 2026-03-30

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Austria