Bicarbonate and Carbohydrate Co‐Ingestion During Exercise in a Novel Gel Format Improves Time‐Trial Performance After 3 h of Moderate‐Intensity Exercise in Trained Cyclists

Abstract

Sodium bicarbonate (SB) ingestion may improve high‐intensity exercise performance in efforts that range from 1 to 60 min; however, to date, no studies have investigated the effects of SB supplementation during exercise, nor its potential to attenuate the fatigue‐induced decline in parameters of the power‐duration curve during prolonged exercise (i.e., durability). This study examined the effects of bicarbonate (BI) and carbohydrate (CHO) co‐ingestion via a novel gel format during exercise on subsequent sprint and time‐trial (TT) performance in cyclists. Eleven trained cyclists took part in this randomized, crossover study. Following one visit to establish a non‐fatigued power profile (3 × 6‐s sprints, 2‐min TT and 12‐min TT cycling performance), participants completed two experimental trials consisting of 3 h cycling at 95% gas exchange threshold and ingested CHO at a rate of 80 g·h−1 with (CHO + BI; 18 g of SB and 2 g of potassium bicarbonate) or without BI co‐ingestion (CHO). Participants repeated the same power profiling protocol after the 3 h submaximal exercise. Performance in the 12‐min TT was improved in the CHO + BI condition compared with CHO (+12 W; p = 0.01, g = 1.07). Mean power output in the 6‐s sprints (+12 W; p = 1.00, g = 0.18) and 2‐min TT (+6 W; p = 0.888, g = 0.32) were not significantly different between CHO + BI and CHO. There were no differences in gastrointestinal symptoms between conditions. These data suggest that BI and CHO co‐ingestion during prolonged exercise via a novel energy gel format improves subsequent 12‐min TT performance in a fatigued state with minimal gastrointestinal discomfort.