The effect of citrate loading on exercise performance, acid-base balance and metabolism (original) (raw)

Summary

Nine subjects (\(\dot V_{o_{2max} } \) 65±2 ml·kg−1·min−1, mean±SEM) were studied on two occasions following ingestion of 500 ml solution containing either sodium citrate (C, 0.300 g·kg−1 body mass) or a sodium chloride placebo (P, 0.045 g·kg−1 body mass). Exercise began 60 min later and consisted of cycle ergometer exercise performed continuously for 20 min each at power outputs corresponding to 33% and 66%\(\dot V_{o_{2max} } \), followed by exercise to exhaustion at 95%\(\dot V_{o_{2max} } \). Pre-exercise arterialized-venous [H+] was lower in C (36.2±0.5 nmol·l−1; pH 7.44) than P (39.4±0.4 nmol·l−1; pH 7.40); the plasma [H+] remained lower and [HCO −3 ] remained higher in C than P throughout exercise and recovery. Exercise time to exhaustion at 95%\(\dot V_{o_{2max} } \) was similar in C (310±69 s) and P (313±74 s). Cardiorespiratory variables (ventilation,\(\dot V_{o_2 } \),\(\dot V_{CO_2 } v\), heart rate) measured during exercise were similar in the two conditions. The plasma [citrate] was higher in C at rest (C, 195±19 μmol·l−1; P, 81±7 μmol·l−1) and throughout exercise and recovery. The plasma [lactate] and [free fatty acid] were not affected by citrate loading but the plasma [glycerol] was lower during exercise in C than P. In conclusion, sodium citrate ingestion had an alkalinizing effect in the plasma but did not improve endurance time during exercise at 95%\(\dot V_{o_{2max} } \). Furthermore, citrate loading may have prevented the stimulation of lipolysis normally observed with exercise and prevented the stimulation of glycolysis in muscle normally observed in bicarbonate-induced alkalosis.

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  1. Keiji Yamaji
    Present address: Faculty of Education, Toyama University, Toyama City, Japan

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Kinesiology, University of Waterloo, N2L 3G1, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
    John M. Kowalchuk, Stephen A. Maltais, Keiji Yamaji & Richard L. Hughson

Authors

  1. John M. Kowalchuk
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  2. Stephen A. Maltais
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  3. Keiji Yamaji
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  4. Richard L. Hughson
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Kowalchuk, J.M., Maltais, S.A., Yamaji, K. et al. The effect of citrate loading on exercise performance, acid-base balance and metabolism.Europ. J. Appl. Physiol. 58, 858–864 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02332219

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