The Effects of Sodium Bicarbonate and Caffeine Intake on Athletic Performance in Combat Sports

Combat sports; it defines individual competitive sports between two athletes within certain rules. Although the main energy systems work with phosphogen and anaerobic glycolysis pathways, the aerobic system may also be partially involved in the mechanism. Due to the technical benefits and energy mechanism of the branch, the requirements differ from other branches. Especially during the competition, strength, explosiveness, balance and speed parameters gain importance and ergogenic needs take shape. Sodium-bicarbonate; it is a highly effective ergogenic support that has been studied for years. Due to its buffering properties, it affects acidosis and blood pH, and studies have been conducted mostly in endurance sports branches and it increases performance. Sodium-bicarbonate, which can act in a short time when taken orally; it contributes to increased performance in combat sports by accelerating recovery and slowing down burnout. Caffeine's ability to enhance performance through its explosiveness-supporting mechanism has made its use widespread in combat sports in recent years. Purpose of current use; In short-term and repetitive competitions seen in combat sports, using sodium-bicarbonate and caffeine together is a possible effect on performance. In the study, an evaluation was made by scanning the current literature on the subject. Although the co-administration of sodium-bicarbonate and caffeine as synergistic drugs is quite positive in theory, more studies are needed in different branches to evaluate them in practical use.