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Effects of Single Sodium Bicarbonate Supplementation on National-Level Finswimming Performance

ConditionsSport PerformanceAcid Base ImbalanceErgogenic SupportSodium BicarbonateWater SportsBiomechanics
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age15-30
SponsorPalacky University

About this trial

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial will investigate the acute effects of sodium bicarbonate supplementation on performance, stroke biomechanics, and selected physiological and perceptual responses during a simulated 200-meter Bi-Fins race in elite finswimmers.

Eligibility criteria

This trial accepts healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

Member of a wider national selection in finswimming (junior or senior level)

Regular participation in competitive finswimming training (≥4 sessions per week)

Age between 15 and 30 years

Absence of chronic illness or injury

Disqualifiers

History of gastrointestinal disorders affecting supplement tolerance

Presence of cardiovascular, metabolic, or musculoskeletal disorders

Current illness or acute infection

Regular use of substances that may interfere with acid-base balance

Trial design

Design model

Crossover

Treatments tested in this trial

  • Sodium Bicarbonate (NaHCO3)

    Dietary supplement

    Gelatin capsules each containing 1g sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃)

  • Placebo

    Dietary supplement

    Gelatin capsules each containing 1g food-grade starch

Treatment groups

20 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groups
Group A: Placebo ComparatorPlacebo comparator 1 intervention
Group B: Sodium Bicarbonate (NaHCO₃)Experimental treatment 1 intervention

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

1

Stroke rate (SR; cycles/min)

Calculated from video analysis to determine the number of stroke cycles per minute.

Time frame
Measured from video analysis of the 200-m Bi-Fins trial; final values reported at race completion on Day 1, Day 3, and Day 5.
2

Total race time (seconds)

Total time to complete the 200-meter Bi-Fins time trial, measured using an electronic timing system. Lower values indicate better performance.

Time frame
Measured from video analysis of the 200-m Bi-Fins trial; final values reported at race completion on Day 1, Day 3, and Day 5.
3

Stroke length (SL; meters/cycle)

Calculated from video analysis to determine the average distance traveled per stroke cycle.

Time frame
Measured from video analysis of the 200-m Bi-Fins trial; final values reported at race completion on Day 1, Day 3, and Day 5.

Secondary outcomes

1

Underwater distance (meters)

Distance traveled underwater after the start and turns, measured from video footage of the 200-meter Bi-Fins time trial. Greater values indicate a longer underwater phase.

Time frame
Measured from video analysis of the 200-m Bi-Fins trial; final values reported at race completion on Day 1, Day 3, and Day 5.
2

Blood lactate concentration (mmol/L)

Measured from capillary blood samples to assess anaerobic metabolism. Higher values indicate greater lactate accumulation.

Time frame
Baseline (10 minutes before warm-up) and 3 minutes post-exercise on each testing day
3

Actual base excess (ABE; mmol/L)

Measured from capillary blood samples to assess buffering capacity. More negative values indicate greater metabolic acidosis.

Time frame
Baseline (10 minutes before warm-up), 10 minutes after warm-up, 5 minutes before race start, and 3 minutes post-exercise on each testing day
4

Blood bicarbonate concentration (HCO₃-; mmol/L)

Measured from capillary blood samples to assess bicarbonate availability for acid buffering. Lower values indicate reduced buffering capacity.

Time frame
Baseline (10 minutes before warm-up), 10 minutes after warm-up, 5 minutes before race start, and 3 minutes post-exercise on each testing day

Other outcomes

Sponsors and contacts

Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.

Palacky University

Lead sponsor

Source ClinicalTrials.gov
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