Effect Of Sodium Citrate Ingestion On Metabolism And 1500 M Running Performance In Young Female Runners

Introduction
The ingestion of alkalising agents such as sodium bicarbonate or sodium citrate has been reported to have a positive
effect on performance in short term, intense exercise [1,2], although not all studies have supported these findings [3,4].
The purpose of the present study was to assess the effects of sodium citrate administration before exercise on
metabolism and performance in 1500 m run in young female runners in field conditions.

Methods
Seventeen young female runners [age 18.8 (3.2) years] competed in three 1500 m races on an indoor track: control
(CON), following the ingestion of sodium citrate (CIT) and placebo (PLC). Each test race was preceded by 3-h fast,
during which time citrate (0.4 g·kg-1 bm) or placebo (1% NaCl) solution was administered. 200 ml of solution (plus 200
ml mineral water) was consumed 2 h as well as 1.5 h before the test run. The total amount of fluid ingested was 800 ml.
The packed cell volume and concentrations of lactate, glucose and haemoglobin in blood as well as body mass was
measured before administering the solution, before starting the run and after finishing it. In order to create a real
competitive situation, the subjects were pair-matched according to their expected performance capacity.

Results
The best result in 1500 m running was achieved in PLC trial (Table 1). There was a significantly better fluid retention
with sodium citrate treatment, deciding by changes of body mass and plasma volume during 2 h period after consuming
the test solutions (Table 1). The glucose concentration in post-test plasma was significantly lower in CIT trial in
comparison with CON (by 12.1%) and PLC (by 7.0%) treatments. Contrary to that the highest concentration of lactate
was observed in post-test plasma in CIT trial (Graph 1).

Discussion/Conclusions
The results of the present study demonstrate the importance of maintaining fluid balance before 1500 m run in young
female runners. However, inclusion of sodium citrate in amount of 0.4 g·kg-1 bm into fluids consumed before race does
not give any additional effect on performance. The higher lactate concentration measured in plasma of the subjects after
the run in the CIT trial compared with CON and PLC conditions is most likely caused by increased contribution of
anaerobic glucolysis to energy production after citrate consumption.

References
[1]. Bird SR. et al. (1995). J Sports Sci, 13, 399-403.
[2]. McNaughton L. (1990). Eur J Appl Physiol, 61, 392-397.
[3]. Ball D. & Maughan RJ. (1997). Exp Physiol, 82, 1041-1056.
[4]. Tiryaki GR. & Atterbom HA. (1995). J Sports Med Phys Fitness, 35, 194-198

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