Is transdermal sodium bicarbonate effective for increasing exercise performance?

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Studies that have compared transdermal (on the skin) sodium bicarbonate supplements to oral bicarbonate have generally found oral delivery to be better. The results from testing of transdermal bicarbonate have been mixed, both in terms of its ability to enhance exercise performance and its ability to affect systemic acid-base balance.[1][2]

Transdermal sodium bicarbonate supplements are applied as a lotion directly to the skin. Because they bypass the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, transdermal bicarbonate supplements are marketed to have all the advantages of oral bicarbonate without any of the unpleasant GI side effects. However, because transdermal bicarbonate is generally unable to affect the systemic acid-base balance, researchers in one study used a specialized technique to measure local changes in muscle pH after application of the transdermal bicarbonate. Consistent with previous studies, the researchers observed only a marginal change in systemic pH. However, the transdermal bicarbonate caused a significant increase in intramuscular pH, which indicates that it was penetrating into the muscles after application on the skin.[3] This trial was performed in resting participants, so the effect on exercise performance wasn’t tested. These results suggest that by affecting intramuscular pH, transdermal bicarbonate has the potential to affect exercise performance, but more research is needed to determine its efficacy.

References
1.^Gurton WH, Greally J, Chudzikiewicz K, Gough LA, Lynn A, Ranchordas MKBeneficial effects of oral and topical sodium bicarbonate during a battery of team sport-specific exercise tests in recreationally trained male athletes.J Int Soc Sports Nutr.(2023-Dec)
2.^McKay AKA, Peeling P, Binnie MJ, Goods PSR, Sim M, Cross R, Siegler JTopical Sodium Bicarbonate: No Improvement in Blood Buffering Capacity or Exercise Performance.Int J Sports Physiol Perform.(2020 Aug 1)
3.^Gibson BM, Needham KW, Kaiser BW, Wilkins BW, Minson CT, Halliwill JRTranscutaneous delivery of sodium bicarbonate increases intramuscular pH.Front Physiol.(2023)