Evaluation of sodium-bicarbonate loading to maximal exercise as ergogenic aid at different altitudes

-47- SUMMARY Sodium bicarbonate that is accepted as a ergogen has a positive effect on short term high-intensity maximal exercise. In this study, the effect of the sodium bicarbonate on short term high-intensity maximal exercise in different altitude (sea level, 1000m and 2250m) was investigated by estimate blood lactate level. The subjects were chosen volunteer normal individuals thet were living in that altitute at least one month. The subjects were divided to control (n=10), placebo (n=10) experimental (n-^10) groups for each altitude. In the study, two hours before the test, sodium bicarbonate to experimental groups, sodium chlorur to placebo groups and nothing to control groups were given. Before, after and 2 minutes after the exercise, the blood was taken to analyze lactate concentration. Differences between groups were tested by ANOVA. Stastical results showed that there were differences (P<0,05) between both experimental and placebo and experimental and control groups. However,sodium bicarbonate has no positive effect in high altitude on short term intensive submaximal exercise. As a result, this study indicate that sodium bicarbonate increase the performance, but high altitute has not effect on this performance.