Skip to main content
Springer Nature Link
Log in

The effects of elevated levels of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) on the acute power output and time to fatigue of maximally stimulated mouse soleus and EDL muscles

  • Original Article
  • Published:
European Journal of Applied Physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

See More

This study examined the effects of elevated buffer capacity [~32 mM HCO3 −] through administration of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) on maximally stimulated isolated mouse soleus (SOL) and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles undergoing cyclical length changes at 37 °C. The elevated buffering capacity was of an equivalent level to that achieved in humans with acute oral supplementation. We evaluated the acute effects of elevated [HCO3 −] on (1) maximal acute power output (PO) and (2) time to fatigue to 60 % of maximum control PO (TLIM60), the level of decline in muscle PO observed in humans undertaking similar exercise, using the work loop technique. Acute PO was on average 7.0 ± 4.8 % greater for NaHCO3-treated EDL muscles (P < 0.001; ES = 2.0) and 3.6 ± 1.8 % greater for NaHCO3-treated SOL muscles (P < 0.001; ES = 2.3) compared to CON. Increases in PO were likely due to greater force production throughout shortening. The acute effects of NaHCO3 on EDL were significantly greater (P < 0.001; ES = 0.9) than on SOL. Treatment of EDL (P = 0.22; ES = 0.6) and SOL (P = 0.19; ES = 0.9) with NaHCO3 did not alter the pattern of fatigue. Although significant differences were not observed in whole group data, the fatigability of muscle performance was variable, suggesting that there might be inter-individual differences in response to NaHCO3 supplementation. These results present the best indication to date that NaHCO3 has direct peripheral effects on mammalian skeletal muscle resulting in increased acute power output.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+
from $39.99 /Month
  • Starting from 10 chapters or articles per month
  • Access and download chapters and articles from more than 300k books and 2,500 journals
  • Cancel anytime
View plans

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

Explore related subjects

Discover the latest articles, books and news in related subjects, suggested using machine learning.

References

  • Allen DG, Lamb GD, Westerblad H (2008) Skeletal muscle fatigue: cellular mechanisms. Physiol Rev 88:287–332. doi:10.1152/physrev.00015.2007

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Askew GN, Marsh RL (1997) The effects of length trajectory on the mechanical power output of mouse skeletal muscles. J Exp Biol 200:3119–3131

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Askew GN, Young IS, Altringham JD (1997) Fatigue of mouse soleus muscle, using the work loop technique. J Exp Biol 200:2907–2912

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Barclay CJ (2005) Modelling diffusive O(2) supply to isolated preparations of mammalian skeletal and cardiac muscle. J Muscle Res Cell Motil 26:225–235. doi:10.1007/s10974-005-9013-x

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Begum G, Cunliffe A, Leveritt M (2005) Physiological role of carnosine in contracting muscle. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab 15:493–514

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bishop DJ, Thomas C, Moore-Morris T, Tonkonogi M, Sahlin K, Mercier J (2010) Sodium bicarbonate ingestion prior to training improves mitochondrial adaptations in rats. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 299:E225–E233. doi:10.1152/ajpendo.00738.2009

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Broch-Lips M, Overgaard K, Praetorius HA, Nielsen OB (2007) Effects of extracellular HCO3(−) on fatigue, pHi, and K+ efflux in rat skeletal muscles. J Appl Physiol 103:494–503. doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00049.2007

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brooks SV, Faulkner JA (1988) Contractile properties of skeletal muscles from young, adult and aged mice. J Physiol 404:71–82

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cameron SL, McLay-Cooke RT, Brown RC, Gray AR, Fairbairn KA (2010) Increased blood pH but not performance with sodium bicarbonate supplementation in elite rugby union players. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab 20:307–321

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Carter JE, Ackland TR, Kerr DA, Stapff AB (2005) Somatotype and size of elite female basketball players. J Sports Sci 23:1057–1063. doi:10.1080/02640410400023233

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cheetham ME, Boobis LH, Brooks S, Williams C (1986) Human muscle metabolism during sprint running. J Appl Physiol 61:54–60

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dennig H, Talbot JT, Edwards HT, Dill DB (1931) Effects of acidosis and alkalosis upon capacity for work. J Clin Invest 9(4):601–613. doi:10.1172/JCI100324

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Edge J, Bishop D, Goodman C (2006) Effects of chronic NaHCO3 ingestion during interval training on changes to muscle buffer capacity, metabolism, and short-term endurance performance. J Appl Physiol 101:918–925. doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.01534.2005

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fletcher WM, Hopkins FG (1907) Lactic acid in amphibian muscle. Lactic acid in amphibian muscle. J Physiol 35(4):247–309

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gastin PB, Costill DL, Lawson DL, Krzeminski K, McConell GK (1995) Accumulated oxygen deficit during supramaximal all-out and constant intensity exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc 27:255–263

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hill AV, Kupalov P (1929) Anaerobic and aerobic activity in isolated muscle. Proc R Soc Lond B 105:313–322

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hopkins WG, Schabort EJ, Hawley JA (2001) Reliability of power in physical performance tests. Sports Med 31:211–234

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Howell D (2007) Statistical methods for psychology, 6th edn. Thomson Wadsworth, USA

    Google Scholar 

  • James RS, Altringham JD, Goldspink DF (1995) The mechanical properties of fast and slow skeletal muscles of the mouse in relation to their locomotory function. J Exp Biol 198:491–502

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • James RS, Wilson RS, Askew GN (2004) Effects of caffeine on mouse skeletal muscle power output during recovery from fatigue. J Appl Physiol 96:545–552. doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00696.2003

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • James RS, Kohlsdorf T, Cox VM, Navas CA (2005) 70 microM caffeine treatment enhances in vitro force and power output during cyclic activities in mouse extensor digitorum longus muscle. Eur J Appl Physiol 95:74–82. doi:10.1007/s00421-005-1396-2

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Josephson RK (1985) Mechanical power output from striated muscle during cyclic contraction. J Exp Biol 114:493–512

    Google Scholar 

  • Josephson RK (1993) Contraction dynamics and power output of skeletal muscle. Annu Rev Physiol 55:527–546. doi:10.1146/annurev.ph.55.030193.002523

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Linderman J, Fahey TD (1991) Sodium bicarbonate ingestion and exercise performance. An update. Sports Med 11:71–77

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Linderman JK, Gosselink KL (1994) The effects of sodium bicarbonate ingestion on exercise performance. Sports Med 18:75–80

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lindh AM, Peyrebrune MC, Ingham SA, Bailey DM, Folland JP (2008) Sodium bicarbonate improves swimming performance. Int J Sports Med 29:519–523. doi:10.1055/s-2007-989228

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lindinger MI, Heigenhauser GJ, Spriet LL (1990) Effects of alkalosis on muscle ions at rest and with intense exercise. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 68:820–829

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • MacLaren DPM, Morgan GD (1985) Effects of sodium bicarbonate ingestion on maximal exercise. Proc Nutr Soc 44:26A

    Google Scholar 

  • Matson LG, Tran ZV (1993) Effects of sodium bicarbonate ingestion on anaerobic performance: a meta-analytic review. Int J Sport Nutr 3:2–28

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McNaughton LR (1992) Bicarbonate ingestion: effects of dosage on 60 s cycle ergometry. J Sports Sci 10:415–423. doi:10.1080/02640419208729940

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McNaughton LR, Ford S, Newbold C (1997) Effect of sodium bicarbonate ingestion in high-intensity exercise in moderately trained women. J Strength Cond Res 11(2):98–102

    Google Scholar 

  • McNaughton LR, Siegler J, Midgley A (2008) Ergogenic effects of sodium bicarbonate. Curr Sports Med Rep 7:230–236. doi:10.1249/JSR.0b013e31817ef530

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Méndez J, Keys A (1960) Density and composition of mammalian muscle. Metabolism 9:184–188

    Google Scholar 

  • Price MJ, Simons C (2010) The effect of sodium bicarbonate ingestion on high-intensity intermittent running and subsequent performance. J Strength Cond Res 24:1834–1842. doi:10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181e06e4a

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Price MJ, Singh M (2008) Time course of blood bicarbonate and pH three hours after sodium bicarbonate ingestion. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 3:240–242

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Renfree A (2007) The time course for changes in plasma [h+] after sodium bicarbonate ingestion. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2:323–326

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Requena B, Zabala M, Padial P, Feriche B (2005) Sodium bicarbonate and sodium citrate: ergogenic aids? J Strength Cond Res 19:213–224. doi:10.1519/13733.1

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Saunders B, Sale C, Harris RC, Sunderland C (2011) Effect of sodium bicarbonate supplementation on cycling capacity at 110 % of maximum power output. Med Sci Sports Exerc 43(5):847

    Google Scholar 

  • Spriet LL, Matsos CG, Peters SJ, Heigenhauser GJ, Jones NL (1985) Effects of acidosis on rat muscle metabolism and performance during heavy exercise. Am J Physiol 248:C337–C347

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Spriet LL, Lindinger MI, Heigenhauser GJ, Jones NL (1986) Effects of alkalosis on skeletal muscle metabolism and performance during exercise. Am J Physiol 251:R833–R839

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tallis J, James RS, Cox VM, Duncan MJ (2012) The effect of physiological concentrations of caffeine on the power output of maximally and submaximally stimulated mouse EDL (fast) and soleus (slow) muscle. J Appl Physiol 112:64–71. doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00801.2011

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thomas C, Perrey S, Lambert K, Hugon G, Mornet D, Mercier J (2005) Monocarboxylate transporters, blood lactate removal after supramaximal exercise, and fatigue indexes in humans. J Appl Physiol 98:804–809. doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.01057.2004

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thomas C, Bishop D, Moore-Morris T, Mercier J (2007) Effects of high-intensity training on MCT1, MCT4, and NBC expressions in rat skeletal muscles: influence of chronic metabolic alkalosis. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 293:E916–E922. doi:10.1152/ajpendo.00164.2007

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vassilakos G, James RS, Cox VM (2009) Effect of stimulation frequency on force, net power output, and fatigue in mouse soleus muscle in vitro. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 87:203–210. doi:10.1139/y09-002

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Mark Bodycote and Bethan Grist for technical assistance.

Conflict of interest

No conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise, are declared by the author(s).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomolecular and Sports Science, Coventry University, James Starley Building, Cox Street, Coventry, CV1 5FB, UK

    M. F. Higgins, J. Tallis, M. J. Price & R. S. James

Authors
  1. M. F. Higgins
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. Tallis
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. J. Price
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  4. R. S. James
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. F. Higgins.

Additional information

Communicated by Michael Lindinger.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Higgins, M.F., Tallis, J., Price, M.J. et al. The effects of elevated levels of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) on the acute power output and time to fatigue of maximally stimulated mouse soleus and EDL muscles. Eur J Appl Physiol 113, 1331–1341 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-012-2557-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-012-2557-8

Keywords