Boxing is a sport that consists of small intense sequences interspersed with short periods of recovery. Thus, it is a sport for which a pre-exercise alkalosis may be beneficial. This is what we wanted to verify a team of British researchers.
Ten boxers received 0.3g/kg or baking or a placebo. They participated in four 3-minute rounds, each separated by 1-minute seated recovery.
There was a significant increase in punches landed when the fighters took bicarbonate. Ingestion of bicarbonate is accompanied by a higher blood bicarbonate and base excess. However, the pH does not increase significantly.
In practical application, the findings suggest that a standard bicarbonate loading dose (0.3 g.kg(-1)) improves punch efficacy during 4 rounds of sparring performance.
Bibliography
Siegler JC, Hirscher K. Sodium bicarbonate ingestion and boxing performance. J Strength Cond Res. 2010 Jan;24(1):103-8.
