Metabolic and blood catecholamine responses to exercise during alkalosis

The effects of metabolic alkalosis on muscle lactate accumulation and plasma catecholamine concentrations were studied in six highly trained subjects during short-term ergocycle exercises to exhaustion (375 W). The studies were performed after oral administration of NaHCO3 (alkalosis) and CaCO3 (placebo). There was a significant increase in resting blood pH after NaHCO3 ingestion (7.35 +/- 0.02) compared to placebo (7.27 +/- 0.02). A longer endurance time was achieved during alkalosis (75.3 +/- 8 s) than during control (61.5 +/- 2 s), but similar blood pH and HCO3- levels were found at exhaustion in both treatments. Metabolic alkalosis resulted in higher elevation in muscle lactate concentration (31.7 +/- 4.6 mmol.kg-1 wet weight) compared to control (17 +/- 4 mmol.kg-1 wet weight). Despite longer exercise duration in alkalosis, plasma norepinephrine and epinephrine concentrations at exhaustion were reduced by 30 and 34%, respectively. These results indicate that alkalosis increased muscle lactate accumulation during exhaustive exercise. These changes were associated with a reduced blood catecholamine response to exercise.