EndurElite Chief Endurance Officer Matt Mosman discusses if taking baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) can improve endurance performance.
Sodium Bicarbonate Benefits For Athletes
Ever wonder if plain old baking soda can increase endurance performance?
- The short answer to this question appears to be YES!
- Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, helps buffer the rise in muscle acidity as exercise intensity increases.
- A few studies have demonstrated that taking baking soda 90 minutes before exercise can improve cycling sprint performance and increase time to fatigue.
- To dose baking soda, take 136-220 mg per pound body weight 90 minutes before exercise.
- Taking any more than this may cause explosive diarrhea or GI distress.
- If this amount gives you problems you can also try sodium citrate dosed at 200mg per pound body weight 90 minutes before exercise.
- For the full video and article on baking soda and athletic performance click here.
About The Author Matthew Mosman - Spearfish, South Dakota
Matt Mosman (MS, CISSN, CSCS) is a research scientist, endurance athlete, and the founder and Chief Endurance Officer at EndurElite. Matt holds his B.S. in Exercise Science from Creighton University and his M.S. in Exercise Physiology from the University of California. Matt and his family reside in Spearfish South Dakota where they enjoy running, mountain biking, camping, and all the outdoor adventures Spearfish has to offer.
