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EFFECTS OF 7-DAY ALKALINE SUPPLEMENTATION ON PERFORMANCE FACTORS IN A 1300m MAXIMAL CYCLING EFFORT

N Herde
C Reyes

Abstract

N. Herde, C. Reyes

Linfield University, McMinnville, OR

Alkaline supplementation has been shown in previous research to improve the body’s ability to buffer lactic acid during maximal exercise. However, minimal research has looked at its effects on the glycolytic energy system. PURPOSE: To determine the physiological and performance effects a 7-day alkaline supplementation period has on a maximal 1,300-m cycling effort compared to a placebo group. METHODS: The study consisted of three visits: an introductory visit, a visit before supplementation and a visit the day after supplementation was completed. The second and third visits consisted of a 10-minute warmup, a 1,300-m maximal cycling effort, and a 10-minute cool down. During this visit, lactate concentration (LC), heart rate (HR), oxygen intake (VO2), carbon dioxide output (VCO2), and respiratory exchange ratio (RER) were taken periodically during the all-out effort and cool down period; time to completion was also measured. After completion of the second visit, participants (n=10) were randomly selected into a placebo or supplement group (n=6, n=4 respectively). Participants would then return 7 days later and perform the same procedures after fully completing the 7-day treatment. Data was analyzed by finding the difference between pre and post-test variables for each participant and calculating the mean for each group. A t-test was performed to determine if there was a significant difference in means between the placebo and supplement groups for each variable. RESULTS: No statistical differences were observed between treatment groups (p<0.05). It is important to note that the variable of “Recovery Score” (ratio of multiple physiological variables to quantify recovery) and RER after cool down were close to being statistically significant (p = 0.08, p = 0.07 respectively).

CONCLUSION: These results indicate that alkaline supplementation trends towards improving the body’s ability to recover after a glycolytic-emphasized maximal exercise bout, based on decreased HR and LC, when combined with RER into a “Recovery Score”. People who consume alkaline supplementation may see improvements in their ability to perform repeated efforts at maximal intensity. Future research should investigate longer supplementation ingestion periods, as well as examining more participants and more homogenized groups of athletes.

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