title: Effects of β-alanine supplementation on exercise performance: a meta-analysis.
abstract: Due to the well-defined role of β-alanine as a substrate of carnosine (a major contributor to H+ buffering during high-intensity exercise), β-alanine is fast becoming a popular ergogenic aid to sports performance. There have been several recent qualitative review articles published on the topic, and here we present a preliminary quantitative review of the literature through a meta-analysis. A comprehensive search of the literature was employed to identify all studies suitable for inclusion in the analysis; strict exclusion criteria were also applied. Fifteen published manuscripts were included in the analysis, which reported the results of 57 measures within 23 exercise tests, using 18 supplementation regimes and a total of 360 participants [174, β-alanine supplementation group (BA) and 186, placebo supplementation group (Pla)]. BA improved (P=0.002) the outcome of exercise measures to a greater extent than Pla [median effect size (IQR): BA 0.374 (0.140-0.747), Pla 0.108 (-0.019 to 0.487)]. Some of that effect might be explained by the improvement (P=0.013) in exercise capacity with BA compared to Pla; no improvement was seen for exercise performance (P=0.204). In line with the purported mechanisms for an ergogenic effect of β-alanine supplementation, exercise lasting 60-240 s was improved (P=0.001) in BA compared to Pla, as was exercise of >240 s (P=0.046). In contrast, there was no benefit of β-alanine on exercise lasting <60 s (P=0.312). The median effect of β-alanine supplementation is a 2.85% (-0.37 to 10.49%) improvement in the outcome of an exercise measure, when a median total of 179 g of β-alanine is supplemented.
authors.affiliation: Biomedical, Life and Health Sciences Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Lane, Nottingham, NG11 8NS, UK.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Hobson
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Saunders
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ball
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sale
mesh_terms: D054874:Athletic Performance; D002336:Carnosine / Q000378:metabolism; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015444:Exercise; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D058573:Performance-Enhancing Substances / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000187:drug effects*; D015091:beta-Alanine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D058573:Performance-Enhancing Substances; D015091:beta-Alanine; D002336:Carnosine