An investigation into the effects of sodium citrate ingestion on high-intensity exercise performance

This study examined the effect of sodium citrate ingestion on high-intensity cycling performance in repeated 45-s bouts. Twelve subjects (9 male and 3 female) ingested either a sodium citrate solution (0.3 g · kg^-1 body mass [BM]) or a placebo 90 min prior to exercise. Postingestion blood HCO₃ concentrations were significantly higher in the citrate trial (p <.01), but there was no difference in blood pH between trials. Peak power and total work significantly decreased over the five bouts (p <.05) and postexercise blood lactate concentrations significantly increased over the five bouts (p <0.01), but there were no differences between trials. We conclude that sodium citrate ingestion (0.3 g · kg^-1 BM) is not an effective ergogenic aid for high-intensity, intermittent exercise as simulated in this protocol.