From my experience, taking NaHCO3 or KHCO3 is similar to hyperventilating; i.e. reduces the bohr effect and causes delayed contractions & premature blackout. However, it probably would help people who have very little experience holding their breath, whose intrinsic [HCO3] is very low. In experienced divers, I think it would have a detrimental effect. Similarly, NaHCO3 may have a huge ergogenic effect for an inexperienced 400m runner, but a veteran with a high lactate threshold & high levels of natural buffers would not benefit much, and may even suffer from its use.
Eric Fattah
BC, Canada
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