Sodium Bicarbonate Supplementation Does Not Improve Running Anaerobic Sprint Test Performance in Semiprofessional Adolescent Soccer Players.

Ergogenic strategies have been studied to alleviate muscle fatigue and improve sports performance. Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) has improved repeated sprint performance in adult team-sports players, but the effect for adolescents is unknown. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of NaHCO3 supplementation on repeated sprint performance in semiprofessional adolescent soccer players. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial, 15 male semiprofessional adolescent soccer players (15 ± 1 years; body fat 10.7 ± 1.3%) ingested NaHCO3 or a placebo (sodium chloride) 90 min before performing the running anaerobic sprint test (RAST). A countermovement jump was performed before and after the RAST, and ratings of perceived exertion, blood parameters (potential hydrogen and bicarbonate concentration), and fatigue index were also evaluated. Supplementation with NaHCO3 promoted alkalosis, as demonstrated by the increase from the baseline to preexercise, compared with the placebo (potential hydrogen: +0.07 ± 0.01 vs. -0.00 ± 0.01, p < .001 and bicarbonate: +3.44 ± 0.38 vs. -1.45 ± 0.31 mmol/L, p < .001); however, this change did not translate into an improvement in RAST total time (32.12 ± 0.30 vs. 33.31 ± 0.41 s, p = .553); fatigue index (5.44 ± 0.64 vs. 6.28 ± 0.64 W/s, p = .263); ratings of perceived exertion (7.60 ± 0.33 vs. 7.80 ± 0.10 units, p = .525); countermovement jump pre-RAST (32.21 ± 3.35 vs. 32.05 ± 3.51 cm, p = .383); or countermovement jump post-RAST (31.70 ± 0.78 vs. 32.74 ± 1.11 cm, p = .696). Acute NaHCO3 supplementation did not reduce muscle fatigue or improve RAST performance in semiprofessional adolescent soccer players. More work assessing supplementation in this age group is required to increase understanding in the area.

Impact of oral nutritional supplement composition on healing of different chronic wounds: A systematic review.

Chronic wounds are characterized by prolonged non-healing, significantly affecting patients' quality of life. Oral formulas may enhance the wound healing process and contribute to cost reduction in care. This review aimed to evaluate the effects of oral nutritional supplementation on chronic wound healing and provide insights into formula characteristics. A comprehensive search across Cinahl, Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science databases yielded nine studies from the past decade involving 741 patients ages 52 to 81.7 across various care settings: hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home care. Primary wound types included pressure injuries (58%), diabetic foot ulcers (40%), and venous ulcers (2%). The intervention duration ranged from 2 to 16 wk, with sample sizes varying from 24 to 270 patients. Notably, four studies reported a reduction in wound area and an increased healing rate with a hypercaloric, hyperproteic formula enriched with zinc and vitamins A, C, and E. However, two studies found no significant differences compared with control groups. Two other studies investigated a combination of arginine, glutamine, and ß-hydroxy-ß-methylbutyrate; however, they did not yield significant results, and one study favored a hyperproteic formula instead of a hyperproteic formula with arginine. This review provides evidence supporting the potential of oral nutritional supplementation to enhance the healing process of chronic wounds. Based on our findings, a desirable formula should be characterized by a high calorie and protein content and the inclusion of antioxidant micronutrients, including, but not limited to, vitamins A, E, C, and zinc.