title: Effects of beta-alanine supplementation on sprint endurance.
abstract: Recent research has shown that beta-alanine (BA) supplementation can increase intramuscular carnosine levels. Carnosine is an intramuscular buffer, and it 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 BA supplementation on sprint endurance at 2 different supramaximal intensities. Twenty-one anaerobically trained (rugby players [n = 4], wrestlers [n = 11], and recreationally strength trained athletes [n = 6]) college-aged men participated in a double-blind, placebo controlled study. The subjects performed an incremental VO2max test and 2 sprint to exhaustion tests set at 115 and 140% of their VO2max on a motorized treadmill before (PRE) and after (POST) a 5-week supplementation period. During this time, the subjects ingested either a BA supplement or placebo (PLA) with meals. The subjects ingested 4 g·d(-1) of BA or PLA during the first week and 6 g·d(-1) the following 4 weeks. Capillary blood samples were taken before and after each sprint to determine blood lactate response to the sprint exercise. No significant group (BA, PLA) × intensity (115%, 140%; p = 0.60), group by time (PRE, POST; p = 0.72), or group × intensity × time (p = 0.74) interactions were observed for time to exhaustion. In addition, similar nonsignificant observations were made for lactate response to the sprints (group × intensity, p = 0.43; group × time, p = 0.33, group × intensity × time, p = 0.56). From the results of this study, it was concluded that beta-alanine supplementation did not have a significant effect on sprint endurance at supramaximal intensities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA. jaggs22@gmail.com
authors.forename: Andrew R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Jagim
authors.forename: Glenn A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: A Glenn
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Brice
authors.forename: Scott T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Doberstein
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005080:Exercise Test; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult; D015091:beta-Alanine / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D015091:beta-Alanine; D019344:Lactic Acid