Effect of Pre-exercise Sodium Citrate Ingestion on Repeated Sprint Performance in Soccer Players.

ABSTRACT: Kuru, D, Aktitiz, S, Atakan, MM, Köse, MG, Turnagöl, HH, and Kosar, SN. Effect of pre-exercise sodium citrate ingestion on repeated sprint performance in soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 38(3): 556-562, 2024-This study aimed to test the hypothesis that sodium citrate (CIT) administered 180 minutes before exercise improves repeated sprint performance in athletes within a field-based setting. Twenty male soccer players (mean ± SD : age = 20.9 ± 2.3 years; body mass [BM] = 73.8 ± 5.9 kg) performed a running-based anaerobic sprint test (RAST) with 0.5 g·kg -1 BM of CIT or with placebo (PLC; NaCl) ingestion 180 minutes before exercise in a randomized, crossover, and double-blind design, with at least 6 days between the trials. Blood samples were collected before exercise and at first, third, fifth, and seventh minutes after exercise to analyze blood pH, bicarbonate, and lactate levels. Gastrointestinal symptoms were also monitored at 30-minute intervals for 180 minutes after CIT and PLC ingestion. Pre-exercise blood pH (CIT = 7.49 ± 0.03 vs. PLC = 7.41 ± 0.02) and bicarbonate (CIT = 30.57 ± 1.33 vs. PLC = 25.25 ± 1.52) increased with CIT compared with PLC ( p < 0.001). Blood pH, bicarbonate, and lactate at the first, third, fifth, and seventh minutes after RAST with CIT were higher than PLC ( p < 0.05), except for lactate at first minute ( p > 0.05). Compared with PLC, CIT ingestion significantly improved minimum power output ( p = 0.024) and percentage decrement score ( p = 0.023). Gastrointestinal symptoms were significantly higher after CIT ingestion vs. PLC at 30th ( p = 0.003) and 60th minutes ( p = 0.010). However, there were no significant differences at 90th, 120th, 150th, or 180th minutes ( p > 0.05). The ingestion of 0.5 g·kg -1 BM of CIT 180 minutes before exercise is an effective ergogenic aid for improving repeated sprint ability as evidenced by improvements in minimum power output and percentage decrement score.

A comparison of dietary acid load between team, endurance, and strength sports

ABSTRACT Purpose: Since the dietary acid load (PRAL) may affect the acid-base balance of the body, there is an increasing interest in its role in sports performance. Typical nutritional requirements of different sports, associated with its physiological demands, might be reflected in the acid load of their diet. Thus, the purpose of this study is to compare the dietary acid load between team, endurance, and strength athletes and to determine the associations between PRAL and hydration status. Methods: Fifty-one healthy recreational male athletes (age: 18-39 yrs) from team, endurance, and strength sports participated in the study. A 3-day food diary was recorded and dietary PRAL values (mEq/day) were calculated. Urine pH and specific gravity were measured. One-way ANOVA with Bonferroni post-hoc analysis and Pearson correlation coefficient (r) were used for data analysis. Results: PRAL in endurance athletes (25.34 mEq/day) was lower compared to team and strength athletes (46.12 and 46.47 mEq/day, respectively) (p= 0.023). Percentage of high PRAL diet (≥15 (mEq/day)) was highest in team sports (89.5%), followed by strength (83.3%) and endurance sports (60%). PRAL was not associated with hydration status. Conclusion: Typical nutritional requirements of sport disciplines are reflected in the PRAL, thus PRAL should be considered when preparing nutritional strategies to improve performance.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Dado que la carga ácida de la dieta (PRAL) puede afectar el equilibrio ácido-base del cuerpo, existe un interés creciente en su papel en el rendimiento deportivo. Los requerimientos nutricionales típicos de diferentes deportes, asociados con sus demandas fisiológicas, pueden reflejarse en la carga ácida de su dieta. Por lo tanto, el propósito de este estudio fue comparar la carga ácida de la dieta entre atletas de equipo, de resistencia y de fuerza, y determinar las asociaciones entre PRAL y el estado de hidratación. Métodos: Participaron en el estudio 51 atletas masculinos sanos (edad: 18-39 años) de deportes de equipo, de resistencia y de fuerza. Se registró un diario de alimentación de 3 días y se calcularon los valores de PRAL dietético (mEq/día). Se midieron el pH y la gravedad específica de la orina. Para el análisis de datos se utilizó ANOVA de una vía con análisis post-hoc de Bonferroni y coeficiente de correlación de Pearson (r). Resultados: PRAL en los atletas de resistencia (25,34 mEq/día) fue menor en comparación con los atletas de equipo y de fuerza (46,12 y 46,47 mEq/día, respectivamente) (p= 0,023). El porcentaje de dieta alta en PRAL (≥15 mEq/día) fue más alto en los deportes de equipo (89,5%), seguido de los deportes de fuerza (83,3%) y de resistencia (60%). PRAL no se asoció con el estado de hidratación. Conclusión: Los requerimientos nutricionales típicos de las disciplinas deportivas se reflejan en el PRAL, por lo que se debe considerar el PRAL al preparar estrategias nutricionales para mejorar el rendimiento.