Acute effect of calcium lactate supplementation intake on the performance and buffering capacity of elite amateur boxing athletes

This study aimed to assess the effects of acute calcium lactate supplementation intake on the performance and buffering capacity of elite amateur boxing athletes. 8 elite amateur boxers (180±4.33 cm, 24.12±3.68 years, Weight categories: -75, -64, -69, +81) were assigned to acutely receive calcium lactate (0.5 g, 80 mg calcium lactate/kg body weight) and placebo in a double-blind crossover design 90 minutes before the box competition. 90 minutes before, before competition and immediately after, blood samples were taken and lactate, PH, HCO3-, and PCO2 and also, average heart rate, and number of effective hand kick were evaluated. lactate and HCO3- significantly increased and decreased at three evaluation times in calcium lactate supplementation and placebo groups respectively (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between calcium lactate supplementation and placebo groups in lactate, pH, HCO3-, PCO2, heart rate and performance at three evaluation times (P>0.05) .Calcium lactate supplementation improves performance without significant changes in the buffering system. In other words, more effort with a similar acidity to placebo could indicate the effect of calcium lactate supplementation on the performance of amateur boxing athletes.