Effects of Sodium Bicarbonate Ingestion on Measures of Wingate Test Performance: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

The review aimed to perform a meta-analysis of studies exploring the acute effects of sodium bicarbonate on Wingate test performance. Ten databases were searched to find studies that examined the effects of sodium bicarbonate on single and repeated Wingate tests. Meta-analyses were performed using the random-effects model. Ten studies were included in the review. There was no significant difference between the sodium bicarbonate and placebo trials for mean power in Wingate test 1 (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.02; 95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.07, 0.11) and test 3 (SMD = 0.21; 95% CI: −0.16, 0.58). There was a significant effect of sodium bicarbonate on mean power in Wingate test 2 (SMD = 0.09; 95% CI: 0.03, 0.16), and test 4 (SMD = 0.62; 95% CI: 0.15, 1.08). When considering studies that used shorter rest intervals between repeated Wingate tests, a significant effect of sodium bicarbonate was found on mean power in Wingate test 3 (SMD = 0.40; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.80). There was no significant difference between the sodium bicarbonate and placebo trials for peak power in Wingate test 1 (SMD = −0.01; 95% CI: −0.06, 0.04), test 2 (SMD = 0.02; 95% CI: −0.10, 0.13), or test 4 (SMD = 0.29; 95% CI: −0.13, 0.71). There was a significant effect of sodium bicarbonate on peak power in test 3 (SMD = 0.09; 95% CI: 0.00, 0.17). The results of this review suggest that sodium bicarbonate may provide an ergogenic effect on measures of repeated Wingate test performance.

Key Teaching Points

• Sodium bicarbonate is a popular ergogenic aid. The Wingate test is commonly used to evaluate high-intensity exercise performance. While several studies explored the effects of sodium bicarbonate ingestion on Wingate test performance, the findings are conflicting.

• In this meta-analysis, 10 studies that examined the acute effects of sodium bicarbonate on single and/or repeated Wingate test performance were included.

• There was no significant difference between sodium bicarbonate and placebo trials for mean or peak power in a single Wingate test.

• However, sodium bicarbonate was ergogenic for mean power in repeated Wingate tests. Specifically, an ergogenic effect was found in test 2 and test 4 (standardized mean difference: 0.09 to 0.62). When considering only studies that used shorter rest intervals between repeated Wingate tests, an ergogenic effect was found in test 3 (standardized mean difference: 0.40).

• Sodium bicarbonate was also ergogenic for peak power in Wingate test 3, but with small effects (standardized mean difference: 0.09).

Keywords:

• Supplements
• ergogenic aid
• sprints
• NaHCO₃

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).