Effects of Sodium Bicarbonate on Endurance Performance

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.

NCT Number	NCT07171047
Lead Sponsor	University of Salzburg Collaborators: Red Bull Athlete Performance Center
Conditions	Healthy, Athlete, Well-trained Athletes, Performance
Enrollment	19 participants
Start Date	2025-09-15
Primary Completion	2025-12-12 (estimated)
Study Completion	2025-12-12 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-03-30