title: Effects of Acute Carnosine and β-Alanine on Isometric Force and Jumping Performance.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effects of acute combined L-carnosine and β-alanine (Carn-BA) supplementation on isometric and dynamic tasks.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve healthy participants performed knee-extensor maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs) and countermovement jumps (CMJs) before and after a fatiguing protocol (45-s continuous CMJs). Isometric and dynamic tests were performed 4 h after ingestion of Carn-BA (2 g of L-carnosine and 2 g of β-alanine) or placebo (PLA), in random order. After the fatiguing protocol, blood lactate concentration ([La-]), general and muscular rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and muscle pain (24 and 48 h after the end of the fatiguing protocol) were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the fatiguing protocol, significant decreases in jump height and increases in contact time were found in both groups from the 15th second onward to the end of the fatiguing protocol. Average contact time and jump height were respectively lower (-7%; P = .018) and higher (+6%; P = .025) in Carn-BA than in PLA. After the fatiguing protocol, MVC decreased in both PLA and Carn-BA, but it was higher in Carn-BA than in PLA (+15%, P = 0.012), while CMJ did not change. Moreover, general RPE was lower and muscle pain at 24 h was higher in Carn-BA than in PLA, whereas muscle RPE and [La-] did not differ between conditions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ingesting Carn-BA before exercise induced positive effects on MVC and CMJ after the fatiguing protocol and improved CMJ performance during the 45-s continuous jumping effort, even when acutely supplemented. Furthermore, Carn-BA reduced the general RPE and increased muscle pain 24 h after the fatiguing task.
authors: Dept of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors: Pietro Luigi
authors: PL
authors: Invernizzi
authors: Eloisa
authors: E
authors: Limonta
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Riboli
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Bosio
authors: Raffaele
authors: R
authors: Scurati
authors: Fabio
authors: F
authors: Esposito
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D054874:Athletic Performance; D002336:Carnosine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004576:Electromyography; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018763:Muscle Fatigue / Q000187:drug effects; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D063806:Myalgia / Q000503:physiopathology; D005082:Physical Exertion; D059385:Plyometric Exercise; D064133:Sports Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D055815:Young Adult; D015091:beta-Alanine / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D015091:beta-Alanine; D002336:Carnosine