Key Takeaway
An umbrella review of 8 meta-analyses found moderate-quality evidence that sodium bicarbonate supplementation improves peak and mean anaerobic power and Yo-Yo test performance.
Summary
This umbrella review systematically evaluated the findings of existing meta-analyses on sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) supplementation and exercise performance. The authors identified and synthesized 8 meta-analyses that collectively covered a broad range of exercise outcomes, providing a high-level overview of the current evidence base.
The review found moderate-quality evidence supporting ergogenic effects of NaHCO3 on peak and mean power output during Wingate anaerobic testing, as well as on Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test performance. However, the evidence for other exercise outcomes was rated as low or very low quality, suggesting that while the overall direction of effects is positive, more high-quality research is needed in several domains.
By aggregating meta-analytic evidence, this umbrella review provides one of the most comprehensive assessments of NaHCO3 supplementation to date, reinforcing its status as an evidence-based ergogenic aid for high-intensity anaerobic exercise while highlighting where the evidence remains limited.
Methods
- Systematic search for meta-analyses examining NaHCO3 and exercise performance
- 8 meta-analyses met inclusion criteria
- Evidence quality assessed using the GRADE framework
- Pooled effect sizes and confidence intervals extracted and evaluated across exercise modalities
Key Results
- Moderate-quality evidence for improvements in peak power (Wingate test)
- Moderate-quality evidence for improvements in mean power (Wingate test)
- Moderate-quality evidence for Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test performance
- Low to very low quality evidence for other exercise outcomes (time to exhaustion, time-trial performance, repeated sprint ability)
Figures
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Limitations
- Limited to previously published meta-analyses; no new primary data analyzed
- Evidence quality for most outcomes was low or very low
- Heterogeneity in dosing protocols, exercise types, and populations across included meta-analyses
- Umbrella review design cannot address nuances of individual studies