title: Effect of beta-alanine supplementation on 2000-m rowing-ergometer performance.
abstract: Beta-alanine supplementation has been shown to improve exercise performance in short-term high-intensity efforts. However, whether supplementation with beta-alanine is ergogenic to actual sporting events remains unclear and should be investigated in field testing or race simulations.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess if beta-alanine supplementation could improve 2,000-m rowing-ergometer performance in well-trained male rowers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants (N = 16) completed duplicate trials (2 × before supplementation and 2 × after supplementation) of a 2,000-m rowing-ergometer race separated by 28 days of either beta-alanine (n = 7; 80 mg · kg-1 BM · d-1) or placebo (n = 9; glucose) supplementation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Beta-alanine group (pooled) race times improved by 2.9 ± 4.1 s and placebo group slowed by 1.2 ± 2.9 s, but these results were inconclusive for performance enhancement (p = .055, ES = 0.20, smallest worthwhile change = 49% beneficial). Race split times and average power outputs only significantly improved with beta-alanine at the 750-m (time -0.7 s, p = .01, power +3.6%, p = .03) and 1,000-m (time -0.5 s, p = .01, power +2.9%, p = .02) distances. Blood La- and pH postrace values were not different between groups before or after supplementation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall, 28 d of beta-alanine supplementation with 80 mg · kg-1 BM · d-1 (~7 g/d) did not conclusively improve 2,000-m rowing-ergometer performance in well-trained rowers.
authors.affiliation: School of Sport Science, Exercise and Health, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia.
authors.forename: Kagan J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Ducker
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dawson
authors.forename: Karen E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Wallman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D054874:Athletic Performance; D015992:Body Mass Index; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D016552:Ergometry; D015444:Exercise; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D064133:Sports Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult; D015091:beta-Alanine / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D015091:beta-Alanine; D019344:Lactic Acid; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate