title: Additive Benefits of β-Alanine Supplementation and Sprint-Interval Training.
abstract: The present study investigated the effects of β-alanine supplementation only, and in combination with sprint-interval training (SIT), on training intensity, and energy provision and performance during exhaustive supramaximal-intensity cycling and a 4- and 10-km time trial (TT).
  
  
  
  Fourteen trained cyclists (V˙O2max = 4.5 ± 0.6 L·min) participated in this placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Subjects performed a supramaximal cycling test to exhaustion (equivalent to 120% V˙O2max) and a 4- and 10-km TT and 4 × 1-km sprints at three time points: before and after 28 d of supplementation loading (6.4 g·d) with β-alanine (n = 7) or a placebo (n = 7), and after a 5-wk supervised, SIT program performed twice weekly (repeated 1-km cycling sprints) while maintaining supplementation with β-alanine (1.2 g·d) or a placebo.
  
  
  
  After the loading period, sprints 3 and 4 of the 4 × 1-km sprint intervals were improved with β-alanine supplementation (4.5% ± 3.4% and 7.0% ± 4.0%; P < 0.05, respectively). After 5 wk of SIT, training intensity increased in both groups but the change was greater with β-alanine supplementation (9.9% ± 5.0% vs 4.9% ± 5.0%; P = 0.04). β-alanine supplementation also improved supramaximal cycling time to exhaustion to a greater extent than placebo (14.9% ± 9.2% vs 9.0% ± 6.9%; P = 0.04), whereas 4- and 10-km TT performance improved to a similar magnitude in both groups. After SIT, β-alanine also increased anaerobic capacity (5.5% ± 4.2%; P = 0.04), whereas V˙O2peak increased similarly in each group (3.1% ± 2.9% vs 3.5% ± 2.9%; P < 0.05).
  
  
  
  These findings indicate that β-alanine supplementation enhances training intensity during SIT and provides additional benefits to exhaustive supramaximal cycling compared with SIT alone.
authors.affiliation: 1Griffith University Sport Science, School of Allied Health Sciences, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, AUSTRALIA; and 2Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, AUSTRALIA.
authors.forename: Phillip M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Bellinger
authors.forename: Clare L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Minahan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D002336:Carnosine / Q000378:metabolism; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005080:Exercise Test; D000072696:High-Intensity Interval Training; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000378:metabolism; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D015091:beta-Alanine / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D015091:beta-Alanine; D002336:Carnosine