title: Effect of beta-alanine supplementation on repeated sprint performance during the Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test.
abstract: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of β-alanine supplementation on repeated sprint performance during an intermittent exercise protocol designed to replicate games play. Sixteen elite and twenty non-elite game players performed the Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test (LIST) on two separate occasions. Trials were separated by 4 weeks of supplementation with either β-alanine (BA) or maltodextrin (MD). There was no deterioration in sprint times from Set 1 to Set 6 of the LIST in either group prior to supplementation (elite: P=0.92; non-elite: P=0.12). Neither BA nor MD supplementation affected sprint times. Blood lactate concentrations were elevated during exercise in both groups, with no effect of supplementation. β-Alanine supplementation did not significantly improve sprint performance during the LIST. Neither group showed a performance decrement prior to supplementation, which might have masked any benefit from increased muscle buffering capacity due to β-alanine supplementation.
authors.affiliation: Sport, Health and Performance Enhancement (SHAPE) Research Group, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Lane, Nottingham, NG11 8NS, UK.
authors.forename: Bryan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Saunders
authors.forename: Craig
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sale
authors.forename: Roger C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sunderland
mesh_terms: D054874:Athletic Performance; D002336:Carnosine / Q000378:metabolism; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D058573:Performance-Enhancing Substances / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000187:drug effects*; D012420:Running; D055815:Young Adult; D015091:beta-Alanine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D058573:Performance-Enhancing Substances; D015091:beta-Alanine; D002336:Carnosine