Drinks with alkaline negative oxidative reduction potential improve exercise performance in physically active men and women: Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial of efficacy and safety

Authors

Ostojić Sergej, Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad

Abstract

In the current study we tested the hypothesis that an acute (7 days) intake of an alkaline negative oxidative reduction potential formulation (NORP) drink would reduce the rate of blood lactate accumulation during and after exercise, increase time to exhaustion, increase serum buffering capacity and not increase prevalence of adverse effects as compared to the control drink. Eleven participants (9 men and 2 women) met the criteria to take part in the study. Participants were randomized in a double-blind, cross-over design to receive the control and the NORP drinks within two single-week periods to study the efficacy of the NORP drink (at a dose of 1 L per day by oral administration). The NORP drink was supplied in bottles containing 2 g NORP, 6 g sucrose, 1-2 mg sodium per dose. The control drink was identically supplied and formulated except that it contained no NORP. Exercise testing was performed using a treadmill based ramp protocol. Blood glucose or total antioxidant capacity were not affected by supplementation (p > 0.05) while serum bicarbonates were significantly higher after the NORP trial (p < 0.05). Critical HR at the velocity of 8.1 mph during the test was significantly lower in NORP as compared to the control drink trial (p < 0.05). Blood lactate sampled at velocity 8.1 mph during the test was significantly lower in the NORP group (p < 0.05). No athletes reported any vexatious side effects of supplementation. It seems that NORP supplementation could have a beneficial effect on human performance during maximal exercise.

Keywords

Running, antioxidant, bicarbonates, human subjects, alkalosis

Download full article

References

Applegate, E. (1999). Effective nutritional ergogenic aids. International Journal of Sport Nutrition, 9(3), 229-239.
Bailey, D. M., & Davies, B. (1997). Physiological implications of altitude training for endurance performance at sea level: a review. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 31 (3), 183-190.
Bishop, D., & Claudius, B. (2005). Effects of induced metabolic alkalosis on prolonged intermittent-sprint performance. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 37(5), 759-767.
Borg, G. (1998). Borg's perceived exertion and pain scales. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
Burke, L. M., & Pyne, D. B. (2007). Bicarbonate loading to enhance training and competitive performance. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 2(1), 93-97.
Clarkson, P. M., & Thompson, H. S. (2000). Antioxidants: what role do they play in physical activity and health? American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 72(2), 637S-646S.
Dekkers, J. C., vanDooren, L. J. P., & Kemper, H. C. G. (1996). The role of antioxidant vitamins and enzymes in the prevention of exercise-induced muscle damage. Sports Medicine, 21 (2), 213-238.
Fenner, D. C., Bürge, B., Kayser, H. P., & Wittenbrink, M. M. (2006). The anti-microbial activity of electrolysed oxidizing water against microorganisms relevant in veterinary medicine. Journal of Veterinary Medicine. B Infectious Diseases and Veterinary Public Health, 53(3), 133-137.
Gandevia, S. C. (1992). Some central and peripheral factors affecting human motoneuronal output in neuromuscular fatigue. Sports Medicine, 13 (2), 93–98.
Harada, K., & Yasui, K. (2003). Decomposition of ethylene, a flower-senescence hormone, with electrolyzed anode water. Bioscience, Biotechnology and Biochemistry, 67 (4), 790-796.
Hanaoka, K., Sun, D., Lawrence, R., Kamitani, Y., & Fernandes, G. (2004). The mechanism of the enhanced antioxidant effects against superoxide anion radicals of reduced water produced by electrolysis. Biophysical Chemistry, 107 (1), 71-82.
Horswill, C. A. (1995). Effects of bicarbonate, citrate, and phosphate loading on performance. International Journal of Sport Nutrition, 5(S), S111-119.
Ji, L. L., Gomez-Cabrera, M. C., & Vina, J. (2009). Role of free radicals and antioxidant signaling in skeletal muscle health and pathology. Infectious Disorder - Drug Targets, 9(4), 428-444.
Joyner, M. J., & Coyle, E. F. (2008). Endurance exercise performance: the physiology of champions. Journal of Physiology, 586(1), 35-44.
Juhn, M. (2003). Popular sports supplements and ergogenic aids. Sports Medicine, 33(12), 921-939.
Lee, M. Y., Kim, Y. K., Ryoo, K. K., Lee, Y. B., & Park, E. J. (2006). Electrolyzed-reduced water protects against oxidative damage to DNA, RNA, and protein. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 135 (2), 133-144.
Mäestu, J., Jürimäe, J., & Jürimäe, T. (2005). Monitoring of performance and training in rowing. Sports Medicine, 35(7), 597-617.
Ostojic, S. M., Stojanovic, M. D., Djordjevic, B., Jourkesh, M., & Vasiljevic, N. (2008). The effects of a 4-week coffeeberry supplementation on antioxidant status, endurance, and anaerobic performance in college athletes. Research in Sports Medicine, 16(4), 281-294.
Schroeder, H., Navarro, E., Tramullas, A., Mora, J., & Galiano, D. (2000). Nutrition antioxidant status and oxidative stress in professional basketball players: effects of a three compound antioxidative supplement. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 21(2), 146-150.
Schuback, K., Essén-Gustavsson, B., & Persson, S. G. (2002). Effect of sodium bicarbonate administration on metabolic responses to maximal exercise. Equine Veterinary Journal, 34, 539-544.
Vorobjeva, N. V. (2005). Selective stimulation of the growth of anaerobic microflora in the human intestinal tract by electrolyzed reducing water. Medical Hypotheses, 64(3), 543-546.
Williams, M. H. (1992). Ergogenic and ergolytic substances. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 24(9), S344-348.