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Abstract
This meta-analysis explored the effects of sodium bicarbonate supplementation on swimming performance. Seven databases were searched to find relevant studies. A random-effects meta-analysis of standardized mean differences (SMD) was performed to analyze the data. Nine studies were included in the review. There was no significant difference between placebo and sodium bicarbonate when considering data from all included studies (SMD: −0.10; p = 0.208) or in the subgroup analysis for 91.4-m and 100-m swimming tests (SMD: 0.11; p = 0.261). In the subgroup analysis for 200-m and 400-m swimming tests, there was a significant ergogenic effect of sodium bicarbonate (SMD: −0.22; p < 0.001; −1.3%). Overall, these results suggest that sodium bicarbonate ingestion improves performance in 200-m and 400-m swimming events. The ergogenic effects of this supplement were small, but they may also be of substantial practical importance given that placings in swimming competitions are commonly determined by narrow margins.
Disclosure statement
The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Jozo Grgic
Jozo Grgic, PhD, is currently a research fellow at the Institute for Health and Sport (IHES), Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia. His research focuses on sports supplements and resistance training.
Pavle Mikulic
Pavle Mikulic, PhD, is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb (Zagreb, Croatia). His current research focuses on the performance effects of sports supplements and neuromuscular adaptations to various forms of resistance training.