title: Beta-alanine improves sprint performance in endurance cycling.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Recent research has shown that chronic dietary beta-alanine (betaALA) supplementation increases muscle carnosine content, which is associated with better performance in short (1-2 min) maximal exercise. Success in endurance competitions often depends on a final sprint. However, whether betaALA can be ergogenic in sprint performance at the end of an endurance competition is at present unknown. Therefore, we investigated the effect of 8-wk betaALA administration in moderately to well-trained cyclists on sprint performance at the end of a simulated endurance cycling race.
  
  
  METHODS
  A double-blind study was performed, which consisted of two experimental test sessions interspersed by an 8-wk betaALA (2-4 g.d; n = 9) or matched placebo (PL; n = 8) supplementation period. In the pretesting and the posttesting, subjects performed a 10-min time trial and a 30-s isokinetic sprint (100 rpm) after a 110-min simulated cycling race. Capillary blood samples were collected for determination of blood lactate concentration and pH.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean power output during the time trial was approximately 300 W and was similar between PL and betaALA during either the pretesting or the posttesting. However, compared with PL, during the final sprint after the time trial, betaALA on average increased peak power output by 11.4% (95% confidence interval = +7.8 to +14.9%, P = 0.0001), whereas mean power output increased by 5.0% (95% confidence interval = +2.0 to +8.1%, P = 0.005). Blood lactate and pH values were similar between groups at any time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Oral betaALA supplementation can significantly enhance sprint performance at the end of an exhaustive endurance exercise bout.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Kinesiology, Research Centre for Exercise and Health, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Ruud
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Van Thienen
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Van Proeyen
authors.forename: Bart
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vanden Eynde
authors.forename: Joke
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Puype
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lefere
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hespel
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000187:drug effects*; D055815:Young Adult; D015091:beta-Alanine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015091:beta-Alanine; D019344:Lactic Acid