Alkaline Water Boosts Athletic Performance in Basketball Players
- Authors
- , Adam Maszczyk
- Journal
- International Journal of Food and Nutritional Science
- Year
- 2018
- DOI
- 10.15436/2377-0619.18.1754
- Study Type
- Human
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Poland
- Health Condition
- Exercise-Induced Acidosis
- Body System
- Musculoskeletal
TL;DR
Drinking high pH (alkaline) water improved the performance and recovery of professional basketball players by better regulating their body's acid levels during intense exercise.
Key Finding
Basketball players who consumed highly alkaline water for six weeks showed increased blood and urine pH levels and improved anaerobic performance by an average of 0.71 seconds compared to drinking regular water.
Summary
This study examined whether drinking highly alkaline water (water with a higher pH level) could improve athletic performance and blood chemistry in 14 professional basketball players. After six weeks of drinking 2.5-3.0 liters of alkaline water daily, the players showed increases in blood and urine pH levels, and performed about 0.71 seconds faster on an anaerobic endurance test (a test measuring short, intense exercise).
Practical Takeaway
While this small study suggests alkaline water may support athletic performance in basketball players, the results are preliminary and the study had limitations (small sample size, no details on how long the study lasted). More research in larger groups and different athletic populations would be needed to confirm whether these findings apply broadly to other athletes or non-athletes interested in hydrogen water.
Abstract
Many researchers have unequivocally demonstrated that water of higher pH has a positive effect on the human body. In terms of undertaken research, the adjustment of acid-base balance during anaerobic effort, a decrease in the concentration of free radicals as well as the improvement of connective tissue condition is of primary importance. The aim of this study was to evaluate an influence of high alkaline water consumption on anaerobic performance and acid-base balance in professional basketball players. There was evaluating changes in parameters of blood and urine in laboratory tests (pH, pCO2, pO2, HCO3 act, HCO3 std, BE (ecf), BE(B), O2 std, and ctCO2). The group of fourteen adults male underwent in two experimental trials, before and after six weeks hydration tested water. Statistical analysis of blood tests showed that after ingestion of alkaline water there was a significant increase of blood pH at rest and after anaerobic exercise. The same results were obtained in urine tests, respectively 1.30 in rest and 0.93 after physical examination. The results of the specific anaerobic endurance test revealed a significant difference in performance between the tests performed after hydrating with highly alkaline water in comparison to table water. The average improvement of results equaled 0.71s. (p = 0.03). In conclusion the athletes hydrated with alkaline water showed a positive impact on acid-base balance with a significant increase of blood and urine pH. The daily intake of 2.5 - 3.0 l of highly alkalized water delay in muscular acidosis during anaerobic exercise, as well as prevention of dehydration, and faster recovery.