Effect of sodium bicarbonate in a transdermal delivery system on physiological par : a double blind, placebo-controlled, randomised, crossover study

• Main Author: Seah, Joshua Zhi Hao
• Other Authors: Swarup Mukherjee
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2019
• Subjects: DRNTU::Social sciences::General
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/76881
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The purpose of this study is to find out the effects of a topical transdermal sodium bicarbonate lotion on performance and recovery in trained male intermittent sport athletes and to elucidate the likely physiology underlying the effects of this product. 10 male intermittent sport athletes were recruited for the study. They had to complete a baseline testing session involving a skin patch test to test for allergic reactions and a Yo-Yo Intermittent Endurance Test – Level 1. They were then randomly grouped into experimental lotion group or placebo group. The participants then had to go through a total of 4 exercise sessions that involved a Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test – Level 1 and an additional 3x40m sprints for exercise sessions 1 and 3. Upon completing exercise sessions 1 and 2, the participants then crossed over to the other group and performed both exercise sessions again with the other lotion, without the skinfold thickness or % body fat measurements. Each exercise session also had multiple pre- and post- exercise variables that were measured. There was no significant main effect of the lotion on the physiological parameters. However, there were significant negative correlations between skinfold thickness for the left thigh (p=0.042, r=-0.649) and right thigh (p=0.035, r=-0.668) and the distance covered in the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test – Level 1 for day 1 of the experimental lotion group. Future studies could address limitations from this study and account for additional variables with regards to lotion absorption. Keywords: blood pH, blood lactate, yo-yo intermittent recovery test- level 1, lotion