[Michael et.al ( 2007) ] Sodium bicarbonate is a legal ergogenic aid. Both the international Olympic committee as well as the NCCA have no ban in place or any restrictive measures for bicarbonate loading. However, bicarbonate abuse can have serious side affects such as gastrointestinal disorders, nausea, gastric rupture, cardiac arrhythmias and even reduced respiratory drive. [WAIS]

Conclusion

Bicarbonate loading is a well-known and much practiced ergogenic aid among the sports fraternity around the world. Muscular activity increases H+ concentration, which in turn negatively affects the enzymatic activity in the anaerobic energy pathway. By neutralizing the H+ ions, bicarbonate loading helps sustain the natural glycolytic energy mechanism a little further. With only a few milli seconds separating the top spots and there being no legal ban on this ergogenic substance, there is little doubt that the vast majority of competitive athletes would be tempted to 'buffer the burn'. From a purely ethical point-of-view, any chemical performance enhancement measure, which could give an unfair advantage, cannot be unacceptable. Besides the ethical issues that surround the use of bicarbonates, the potential side effects cannot be lightly ignored. Also the interactive effects of bicarbonate with other ergogenic aids have to be carefully studied. Currently research is underway on new natural substances such as beta alanine,...

Continuous use of such enhancers is not advisable as it may trigger new reactions from the body, which may stop the natural synthesis of bicarbonate as a homeostatic response.
Bibliography

1) Edge, Johann & Bishop et.al, (May, 2004), 'Chronic Sodium Bicarbonate Ingestion Affects Training Adaptations During Severe Intense Training', Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise: Volume 36(5); 201

2) Price Mike, Moss Paul & Rance Stuart (Aug, 2003), 'Effects of Sodium Bicarbonate Ingestion on Prolonged Intermittent Exercise', Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise: Volume 35(8) pp 1303-1308

3) Artioli, Guilherme G. & Gualano, Bruno et.al (May 2006), 'Sodium Bicarbonate

Ingestion and its Effects on Blood Lactate and Judo-Related Performance',

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise: Volume 38(5) Supplement p S126-

4) Peyrebrune, Michael C & Lindh, Amy et.al (May 2007), 'Sodium Bicarbonate

Supplementation Improves 200 m Freestyle Performance in Elite Male

Swimmers', Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise: Volume 39(5) p S218

5) ASKO, 'Bicarbonate Loading: Could it help Improve your Performance', Accessed 2nd April 2009, Available at, http://homepage.eircom.net/~nmalone/carbload.htm

6) WAIS,…