Effects of individual and combined Beta-Alanine and Sodium Bicarbonate supplementation on 2000 m rowing performance in female, club level rowers.

The aim of this study was to investigate the combined ergogenic effects of chronic Beta-Alanine and acute Sodium Bicarbonate (NaHCO3) supplementation on 2000 m rowing performance in female club-level rowers. In a randomised, double blinded crossover design, 12 well trained, club-level female rowers were supplemented for 28 days with 6.4 g.d-1 Beta-Alanine or placebo prior to completion of a 2000 m maximal rowing time trial (following 0.3 g.kg-1 NaHCO3 or placebo starting two hours prior) supplementation continued for a further four days followed by a second trial. Following a four week washout period, participants repeated this supplementation protocol for either Beta-Alanine or placebo for a further two trials. Blood lactate samples were collected pre- and post- 2000 m time trial performance. No significant effects on 2000 m rowing performance were observed between conditions (p = 0.274) despite performance improvements of 5.8 s (NaHCO3), 4.1 s (Beta-Alanine) and 7.9 s (combined Beta-Alanine and NaHCO3) compared to baseline performance (527.6 ± 33.7 s). No significant interaction between treatments and 500 m time points during each 2000 m maximal effort was observed (p = 0.854); however, a significant difference between 500 m time points was observed (p = 0.001). No significant interaction between conditions and blood lactate concentration were observed (p = 0.06). There were no significant effects of Beta-Alanine or NaHCO3 when taken individually or combined on 2000 m rowing performance in female, club-level rowers.