Beta Alanine Cont'd
Effects of beta-alanine supplementation on sprint endurance.
Jagim AR, Wright GA, Brice AG, Doberstein ST.
SourceExercise & Sport Science1, Biology Dept2, UW-La Crosse, La Crosse, WI.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Recent research has shown that beta-alanine supplementation can increase intramuscular carnosine levels. Carnosine is an intramuscular buffer and has been linked to improvements in performance, specifically during bouts of high intensity exercise that are likely limited by muscle acidosis. Therefore the purpose of this study was to examine the effect of beta-alanine supplementation (BA) on sprint endurance at two different supramaximal intensities.
METHODS: Twenty-one anaerobically trained [rugby players (n=4), wrestlers (n=11) and recreationally strength-trained athletes (n=6)] college men participated in a double blind, placebo controlled study. Subjects performed an incremental VO2 max test and two sprint to exhaustion tests set at 115% and 140% of their VO2 max on a motorized treadmill before (PRE) and after (POST) a 5 week supplementation period. During this time subjects ingested either a BA supplement or placebo (PLA) with meals. Subjects ingested 4g /day of BA or PLA during the first week and 6g/day the following 4 weeks. Capillary blood samples were taken before and after each sprint to determine blood lactate response to the sprint exercise RESULTS No significant group (BA, PLA) x intensity (115%, 140%; p=0.60), group by time (PRE, POST; p=0.72), or group x intensity x time (p=0.74) interactions were observed for time to exhaustion (See Table 1). In addition, similar non-significant observations were made for lactate response to the sprints (group x intensity, p=0.43; group x time, p=0.33, group x intensity x time, p=0.56)
CONCLUSION: From the results of the current study, it was concluded that beta-alanine supplementation did not have a significant effect on sprint endurance at supramaximal intensities.