Evaluation of the Effects of Single Sodium Bicarbonate Supplementation on Finswimming Performance in National-Level Finswimmers: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Study

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the acute effects of sodium bicarbonate supplementation on performance, stroke biomechanics, and selected physiological and perceptual responses during a simulated 200-meter Bi-Fins race in elite national-level finswimmers. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study involves 20 participants from Czech junior or senior national finswimming teams. The study aims to understand how sodium bicarbonate affects race time, stroke rate, stroke length, and various blood markers related to acid-base balance. Participants will complete three test sessions, each separated by 48 hours of recovery without training. The first session acts as a control with no supplement. In the second and third sessions, participants will ingest either sodium bicarbonate (300 mg per kg of body weight) or a placebo (food-grade starch), given in identical gelatin capsules 60 to 90 minutes before the race. All sessions take place in a standardized 25-meter indoor swimming pool, with a warm-up followed by a 200-meter Bi-Fins time trial. During the study, blood samples will be collected at multiple time points to measure acid-base balance indicators, blood lactate, and pH levels. Researchers will analyze stroke mechanics from video recordings and assess subjective responses such as perceived exertion, gastrointestinal discomfort, and muscle soreness using established rating scales. The primary outcomes include stroke rate, stroke length, and total race time, with additional physiological and perceptual measures monitored. The study follows strict ethical and methodological standards and uses statistical analysis to compare results across conditions.

Effects of Single Sodium Bicarbonate Supplementation on National-Level Finswimming Performance