Effect of sodium citrate supplementation on tennis performance

Abstract

Evidence suggest that the ingestion of alkalisers such as sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) and sodium citrate (citrate-Na) seems to improve exercise performance and delay fatigue in high intensity intermittent exercise. Recently, it was reported that this buffer improved performance of tennis players in specific tests. However the ergogenic effect of alkalisers is accompanied by collateral effects as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, thus limiting its practical application in competitive events. The aim of this study is investigate the effect of sodium citrate supplementation on tennis performance parameters. In addition the present study aims to assess the effect of sodium citrate on gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances. Ten (n =10) youth male tennis players nationally ranked will be selected to participate in the study. The supplementation protocol will be conducted following a randomized double blind cross over experimental design. Performance tests will be conducted before, during and after a simulated tennis match separated by 10 days. The tennis players will answer a questionnaire to assess the incidence and the severity of GI disturbances. The results obtained with the placebo group and the experimental one will be analyzed by two way ANOVA with repeated measures. (AU)