Effects of sodium citrate ingestion before exercise on endurance performance in well trained college runners

• Published in: British journal of sports medicine Vol. 37; no. 6; pp. 485 - 489
• Main Authors: Oöpik, V, Saaremets, I, Medijainen, L, Karelson, K, Janson, T, Timpmann, S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine 01.12.2003; BMJ Publishing Group Ltd; BMJ Publishing Group LTD; BMJ Publishing Group; BMJ Group
• Subjects: Adult; Alkalies; Alkalosis; Anatomy & physiology; Athletes; Beverages; Blood; Blood Glucose - analysis; buffer ingestion; Citrates - administration & dosage; Citrates - adverse effects; Cross-Over Studies; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Double-Blind Method; ergogenic aid; Exercise; Exercise Test; Fitness equipment; Gastrointestinal Diseases - chemically induced; glucose; Humans; Laboratories; lactate; Lactic Acid - blood; Male; Mineral water; Muscular system; Original; Physical Education and Training; Physical Endurance - drug effects; Physical fitness; Running; Sodium; Sodium Citrate
• ISSN: 0306-3674; 1473-0480
• DOI: 10.1136/bjsm.37.6.485

Objective: To test the hypothesis that sodium citrate administered two hours before exercise improves performance in a 5 km running time trial. Methods: A total of 17 male well trained college runners (mean (SD) V̇o2max 61.3 (4.9) ml/kg/min) performed a 5 km treadmill run with and without sodium citrate ingestion in a random, double blind, crossover design. In the citrate trial, subjects consumed 1 litre of solution containing 0.5 g of sodium citrate/kg body mass two hours before the run. In the placebo trial, the same amount of flavoured mineral water was consumed. Results: The time required to complete the run was faster in the citrate trial than the placebo trial (1153.2 (74.1) and 1183.8 (91.4) seconds respectively; p = 0.01). Lower packed cell volume and haemoglobin levels were found in venous blood samples taken before and after the run in the citrate compared with the placebo trial. Lactate concentration in the blood sample taken after the run was higher in the citrate than the placebo trial (11.9 (3.0) v 9.8 (2.8) mmol/l; p<0.001), and glucose concentration was lower (8.3 (1.9) v 8.8 (1.7) mmol/l; p = 0.02). Conclusion: The ingestion of 0.5 g of sodium citrate/kg body mass shortly before a 5 km running time trial improves performance in well trained college runners.