The Effect of Individual Sodium Citrate Consumption on Repeated Sprint Performance in Female Soccer Players

The aim of this research is to determine whether sodium citrate supplementation, taken at the best individual time, would improve repeated sprint performance in professional female soccer players. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Does sodium citrate improve sprint times, peak power, minimum power, and mean power during repeated sprints? 2. Does sodium citrate lower fatigue index (the drop in power across sprints) during repeated sprint exercise? 3. Does sodium citrate change blood bicarbonate, pH, and lactate levels before and after exercise? 4. Does sodium citrate affect how hard exercise feels (perceived exertion)?

Inclusion Criteria: * Female professional soccer players competing in the Turkish Women's Third League * Age between 18-25 years * Active training status (minimum 3 sessions per week) * Regular menstrual cycles * Both experimental trials scheduled in the same phase of the menstrual cycle, outside of menstruation * No use of nutritional supplements in the 4 weeks prior to the study * Willingness to provide written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Use of oral contraceptives * Irregular menstrual cycle * History of gastrointestinal disorders * Any musculoskeletal injury preventing maximal sprint performance * Smoking * Use of any medication that may affect acid-base balance * Pregnancy