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Abstract
Background
The efficacy of sodium citrate supplementation (SC) in exercise performance is unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of SC on skilled tennis performance.
Methods
Ten Brazilian nationally-ranked young male tennis players (age: 17 ± 1 yrs.; stature: 176.7 ± 5.2 cm; body mass: 68.4 ± 7.9 kg) participated in this crossover, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Upon arrival, at baseline, in both experimental sessions blood was collected, then subjects ingested either sodium citrate (SC - 0.5 g.kg−1BM in capsules of 500 mg) or a placebo (PLA). Two hours later, pre-match blood was collected then skills tests (skill tennis performance test - STPT, repeated-sprint ability shuttle test - RSA) were performed followed by a 1-h simulated match. Immediately following the match, blood was again collected, and STPT, and RSA were administered.
Results
All metabolic parameters (i.e. base excess, pH, bicarbonate, and blood lactate) increased (p < 0.001) from baseline to pre-match and post-match in SC condition. Each metabolic parameter was greater (p < 0.001) in SC compared to PLA condition at both pre- and post-match. The SC condition elicited a greater (p < 0.01) shot consistency at post-match in the STPT vs. PLA condition (SC: 58.5 ± 14.8% vs. PLA: 40.4 ± 10.4%). A greater (p < 0.001) amount of games won was observed in the simulated match for SC condition vs. PLA condition (SC: 8.0 ± 1.6 vs. PLA: 6.0 ± 1.7). Additionally, the games won during the simulated match in SC condition was positively correlated with percentage shot consistency (r = 0.67, p < 0.001).
Conclusions
The current findings suggest that SC supplementation is an effective ergogenic aid to enhance skilled tennis performance.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to acknowledge all players and coaches involved in this study for their committed participation. RVG would like to thank the CAPES (Brazil) for his scholarship. VCRC would like to thank the FAEPEX (UNICAMP, São Paulo, Brazil) for her scholarship (Grant: 519292 #130/13). This research was supported by FAPESP (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa no Estado de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil – Grant: 2012/19529-9).
Authors’ contributions
VCRC carried out data collection, analyzed the data, and helped to draft the manuscript. RVG, MCZ and AM participated in the design and coordination of the study and helped to write the manuscript. MSA and CDC conceived the study, and participated in the design and coordination and helped to write the manuscript. All of the authors have been involved in the writing of this manuscript and have read and approved the final text.
Funding
Not applicable.
Availability of data and materials
The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
Ethics approval and consent to participate
The protocol was approved by the University’s Ethics Committee (Protocol #217.695, UNICAMP).
Consent for publication
Not applicable.
Competing interests
The authors declare no competing interests.
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