Effect of acute sodium citrate ingestion on repeated sprint performance

The aim of this study is to examine the effects of sodium citrate ingestion on repeated sprint performance. This study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design. Twenty male football players were randomly divided into two groups: the intervention group ingested 0.5 g.kg-1 sodium citrate (SC) while the placebo (PLC) group ingested table salt (NaCl) solved in 750 ml of lemon-flavored water. Repeated sprint performance was evaluated with the Running Based Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST) 180 minutes after ingestion. After the washout period (at least 4 days), the groups were crossed and the test was repeated. Two-Factor Analysis of Variance with Repeated Measures was used in the statistical analysis of the data. Sodium citrate supplementation resulted in increased levels of blood pH and bicarbonate before exercise (p<0.001), higher values of blood pH, bicarbonate (p<0.001), and lactate (p<0.05) at the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th minutes after RAST; a reduced percentage of performance decrease (p<0.05) and a worst sprint time, higher minimum power output (p<0.05), and lower rating of perceived exertion (RPE) during the test (p<0.05). No significant changes were observed in maximum power, average power, best sprint time, total sprint time, or maximum and average heart rate values. In conclusion, ingestion of 0.5 g.kg-1 SC 180-210 minutes before exercise increased blood alkalosis and, as a result, a lower percentage of performance decline and a worst sprint time, higher minimum power output, and a lower RPE response, all of which can delay fatigue during repeated sprint exercise. Increased alkalosis, on the other hand, had no effect on maximal power, average power, best sprint time or total sprint time.