Effect of Oral and Topical Sodium Bicarbonate on Functional Recovery and Soccer-Specific Performance After Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study

<b>Objectives</b>: This study assessed the influence of oral and topical sodium bicarbonate (SB) on recovery and soccer-specific performance after exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD). <b>Methods</b>: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group design, 24 soccer players were allocated to oral SB, topical SB (PR Lotion, Momentous), or placebo (PLA) (<i>n</i> = 8 per condition) and attended six laboratory sessions: (i) familiarization, (ii) baseline measures, and (iii) four experimental trials on consecutive days. Muscle damage was induced on day 1 using 40 × 15 m sprints, after which either 0.3 g·kg^-1 body mass (BM) SB (SB-ORAL), 0.9036 g·kg^-1 BM PR Lotion (SB-LOTION), or an equivalent PLA was given. Recovery outcomes were measured post-EIMD, 1 d, 2 d, and 3 d post (day 1-4). Soccer-specific performance was repeated 3 d post, with supplements administered again 2 h pre-exercise. Recovery measures included muscle soreness, vertical jump height, and maximal voluntary isometric contraction. Illinois agility test (IAT), 8 × 25 m repeated sprints, and Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 2 (Yo-Yo IR2) were assessed as soccer-specific performance. <b>Results</b>: Neither SB-ORAL nor SB-LOTION accelerated indices of recovery but decline in soccer-specific performance from baseline to 3 d post was attenuated for SB-ORAL, with significant effects for IAT (<i>p</i> = 0.032, <i>g</i> = 1.69) and Yo-Yo IR2 (<i>p</i> = 0.026, <i>g</i> = 1.61) compared with PLA. <b>Conclusions</b>: SB did not accelerate recovery following EIMD but prescribing oral SB before subsequent exercise might rescue key performance indicators. These findings offer implications for practitioners working with soccer players during periods where full recovery is not achieved.