Efeitos da suplementação de bicarbonato de sódio sobre o desempenho em atletas de jiu-jitsu brasileiro

Abstract

Introduction: sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) supplementation may have an ergogenic effect during intense, intermittent activities such as Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ). However, this effect has not yet been tested using a sport-specific test for this modality. Purpose: to evaluate the effects of acute NaHCO3 supplementation on the performance of competitive BJJ fighters. Methods: eleven BJJ fighters performed the jiu-jitsu anaerobic performance test (JJAPT) which consisted of performing the maximum repetitions of the “butterfly” sweeping movement (5 x 1 min/ 45 s interval), under 2 supplementation conditions: 300 mg/NaHCO3/kg body weight and placebo (corn starch), and a control condition in which no supplement was provided. Participants reported ratings of perceived exertion and perception of pain throughout the JJAPT, with heart rate being monitored, and performed a handgrip strength test post-JJAPT. Blood samples were collected for assessment of lactate, pH, bicarbonate and base excess at time points: baseline, pre- and post-JJAPT. Gastrointestinal symptoms were assessed using the Gastrointestinal Tolerance Questionnaire (GTQ). The study followed a double-blind, crossover, randomized design for all conditions. Mixed model analysis of variance was applied to the times and treatments performed. Results: NaHCO3 supplementation increased serum bicarbonate concentrations (+6.0 ± 1,13 mmol/L; p<0,0001) prior to the JJAPT, but did not improve JJAPT performance (control: 13,4 ± 1,97 reps/series; placebo: 13,4 ± 1,87 reps/series; bicarbonate: 13,4 ± 2,09 reps/series; all p ≥ 0,05), handgrip strength (pre x post-JJAPT: control: 47,25 ± 9,03 kgf. x 49,9 ± 8,73 kgf.; placebo: 46,05 ± 8,84 kgf. x 50,18 ± 9,65 kgf.; bicarbonate: 45,81 ± 8,87 kgf. x 50,54 ± 9,11 kgf.; control vs. placebo: p = 0,99; control vs. bicarbonate: p = 0,99; placebo vs. bicarbonate: p = 0,99) or about heart rate (control: 164 ± 8,28 bpm.; placebo: 160 ± 6,91 bpm.; bicarbonate: 163 ± 8,26 bpm.; control vs. placebo: p = 0,10; control vs. bicarbonate: p = 0,69; placebo vs. bicarbonate: 0,39). There were no differences between sessions for ratings of perceived exertion (p = 0,44) and or pain responses (p = 0,99). Conclusion: NaHCO3 supplementation increased serum bicarbonate ion (HCO3-) concentration, but did not improve sport-specific anaerobic performance of brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes, in the current study.