The Effect of Sodium Bicarbonate Supplementation on Electromyographic Muscle Activity in Healthy, Physically Active Individuals: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Aim

The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the effects of sodium bicarbonate supplementation on electromyographic (EMG) muscle activity in healthy, physically active individuals.

Methods

A systematic review of cross-sectional studies, crossover studies and randomized controlled trials was performed to investigate the effects of sodium bicarbonate supplementation on EMG muscle activity in healthy, physically active individuals. Potentially eligible for the systematic review were identified through searches conducted in the PubMed/MEDLINE, Science Direct and Scopus, considering publications from January 1980 to August 2019. The terms used in the search were: sodium bicarbonate, NaHCO₃, alkalosis, alkaloses, electromyography, surface electromyography, electromyographies, electromyogram and EMG. Two independent assessors extracted data from the selected articles. Bias analysis was conducted using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and methodological quality was appraised using a checklist created based on the guidelines of the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials and the International Society of Electrophysiology and Kinesiology.

Results

A total of 67 studies were retrieved and seven were included in this review. Only two studies showed significant differences in muscle activity after sodium bicarbonate supplementation. The different EMG signal capturing, processing, and analysis methods used constitute an important limitation to the comparative analyses of the results reported in the studies selected for the present review.

Conclusion

The results found do not allow us to affirm whether EMG may or may not be a safe tool to assess the effects of sodium bicarbonate supplementation on muscle activity.

Keywords:

• alkalosis
• electromyography
• muscle fatigue
• sodium bicarbonate
• sports nutrition

Declaration of interest

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

Marcelo Martins Kalytczak

Marcelo Martins Kalytczak, PhD is currently a Full Professor at the Nove de Julho University (UNINOVE - Brazil). His research focuses on electrophysiology, athletic performance, nutritional supplementation, training and motor learning.

Bruna Massaroto Barros

Bruna Massaroto Barros, MS is a Research Assistant in the Department of Rehabilitation Science, Human Motion Analysis Laboratory at the Nove de Julho University

Rafael Ambrósio Battazza

Rafael Ambrosio Battazza, MS is a Research Assistant in the Department of Rehabilitation Science, Human Motion Analysis Laboratory at the Nove de Julho University

Danilo Sales Bocalini

Danilo Sales Bocalini, PhD is currently an Associate Professor at Sport Department of Physical Education Sport Center on Federal University of Espirito Santo (UFES), Espirito Santo, Brazil and Researcher at the Physiology and Biochemistry Laboratory at the same University. Has expertise in coordinating and managing the basic and applied studies. Its research focuses is address on exercise, cardiovascular and cardiac physiology in different physical exercise protocols and session designs.

Daniela Aparecida Biasotto-Gonzalez

Daniela Aparecida Biazzotto-Gonzalez, PhD is currently a Full Professor at the Nove de Julho University (UNINOVE - Brazil) and a Researcher at the Department of Rehabilitation Science, Human Motion Analysis Laboratory at the same University. Extensive experience in the temporomandibular disorders, clinical applications of surface electromyography, posture, musculoskeletal dysfunction on area rehabilitation

Aylton José Figueira Junior

Aylton José Figueira Junior, PhD is currently a Full Professor at the Universidade São Judas Tadeu and Researcher at the Department of Health Science, Translational Physiology Exercise Laboratory and Professor at Universidade Nove de Julho- Physical Education Department. Extensive experience in the exercise physiology adaptation on muscle response and its effects on fatigue and strength performance

Fabiano Politti

Fabiano Politti, PhD is currently a Full Professor at the Nove de Julho University (UNINOVE-Brazil) and a Researcher at the Department of Rehabilitation Science, Human Motion Analysis Laboratory at the same University. He has expertise in coordinating and managing the conduct of clinical trial. His research focuses on electrophysiology, neurophysiology of movement, muscle pain and motor control, training and learning, postural control and biomedical signal processing.