Sport Performance:
A Comprehensive Overview

The science behind performance & Acid–base balance

During high-intensity exercise, muscle activity accelerates rapidly — energy demands surge, and metabolic by-products such as hydrogen ions (H⁺) accumulate. This acid build-up disturbs muscle pH and contributes to fatigue, reduced power output, and diminished endurance. The body’s natural buffer — bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻) — can partially counteract this, but during intense exercise, bicarbonate reserves are often depleted faster than they can be replenished.

Acclivum2.0 addresses this challenge: its patented enteric-coated bicarbonate formulation bypasses the stomach and dissolves in the small intestine, enabling smooth absorption — and avoiding the gastric gas, bloating, and discomfort associated with conventional bicarbonate supplements.

Why bicarbonate matters for athletes
  • Multiple meta-analyses and systematic reviews confirm that sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) supplementation enhances performance, particularly in short-duration, high-intensity tasks (≈ 30 seconds to 12 minutes).
  • According to the umbrella review by International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN), effective doses typically range between 0.2–0.5 g/kg for acute supplementation.
  • Benefits demonstrated include improved peak and mean power, enhanced muscular endurance, and better outcomes in repeated-sprint and intermittent performance protocols.

These findings establish bicarbonate as one of the most studied and effective legal ergogenic aids when used appropriately.

How Acclivum2.0 works — A smarter delivery

The 2024 human trial “Effects of Enteric-Coated Sodium Bicarbonate on Bicarbonate Absorption and Gastrointestinal Discomfort” demonstrated that enteric-coated bicarbonate tablets:

  • Reduced the required dose to raise blood bicarbonate by ≥ 5 mmol/L from 300 mg/kg (standard) to 225 mg/kg — a 25% dosage reduction.
  • Significantly decreased gastrointestinal side effects compared with uncoated bicarbonate.

Thus, Acclivum2.0 provides improved systemic bicarbonate buffering, with greater tolerability — a critical advantage for athletes sensitive to GI distress or for repeated use.

Performance benefits — What Acclivum2.0 enables

When used prior to training or competition, Acclivum2.0 supports:

  • More stable energy metabolism and buffering during intense activity
  • Enhanced muscle contraction control under acid stress
  • Reduced perceived effort and “burn”, especially in high-intensity intervals
  • More consistent power output over repeated sets or bouts

These align with the ergogenic effects reported for sodium bicarbonate supplementation across human trials and meta-analyses.

Recovery benefits — Supporting the body after exercise

Following exercise, the body must clear acidic metabolites (e.g., lactate), restore pH balance, and initiate repair and adaptation processes. Bicarbonate supplementation can help by:

  • Accelerating recovery of blood pH and bicarbonate levels between bouts or sessions
  • Supporting lactate clearance, metabolic recovery and acid–base homeostasis
  • Reducing muscle fatigue buildup in repeated-bout protocols — which is especially relevant for tournaments, team sports, or multi-day events

These properties make Acclivum2.0 viable not only for single “peak performance” events, but also for multi-bout sports, training cycles, and regular performance routines.

Acclivum2.0 — Next-level performance & Recovery

Compared to standard bicarbonate supplementation, Acclivum2.0 offers:

Improved systemic buffering with lower dose
Reduced gastrointestinal side effects and better tolerability
Reliable support for power, endurance, and repeated efforts
Support for faster recovery and readiness for repeated sessions

In short: Acclivum2.0 supports the athlete’s body to perform at its natural best — consistently, comfortably, and safely.

References

Grgic, J., Pedisic, Z., Saunders, B., et al. (2021). Effects of sodium bicarbonate supplementation on exercise performance: an umbrella review. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 18, 71. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-021-00469-7 SpringerLink+1

International Society of Sports Nutrition. (2021). Position stand: sodium bicarbonate and exercise performance. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 18(1), 61. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-021-00458-w SpringerLink+1

Jiang, F.-L., Jeong, D.-H., Eom, S.-H., Lee, H.-M., Cha, B.-J., Park, J.-S., … & Song, K.-H. (2024). Effects of enteric-coated sodium bicarbonate on bicarbonate absorption and gastrointestinal discomfort. Nutrients, 16(5), 744. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16050744 MDPI+2MDPI+2

Calvo, J. L., Xu, H., Mon-López, D., Pareja-Galeano, H., & Jiménez, S. L. (2021). Effect of sodium bicarbonate contribution on energy metabolism during exercise: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-021-00410-y tandfonline.com

Gurton, D. G., King, M. K., Ranchordas, M. K., Siegler, J. C., & Gough, L. A. (2024). Enhancing exercise performance and recovery through sodium bicarbonate: a review of mechanisms and practical applications. European Journal of Applied Physiology / Exercise & Sports Science Reviews. (2024) SpringerLink

References

  • While evidence strongly supports NaHCO₃’s ergogenic effects, effects vary depending on exercise type, duration, dose and individual tolerance. The benefits are most consistent in intense, buffering-limited activities lasting ~30 s to ~12 min. SpringerLink+1

 

  • Enteric-coating improves tolerability, but not all studies show performance enhancement with enteric formulations, especially if used acutely. A 2022 study found that serial (multi-day) enteric-coated bicarbonate improved anaerobic performance, but acute single-dose did not always yield benefit. europepmc.org+1

 

 

  • Always recommend correct dosing (e.g., 0.2–0.3 g/kg) and timing (60–180 min pre-exercise, per ISSN guidance) for best results. SpringerLink+1