Beta-alanine supplementation enhances judo-related performance in highly-trained athletes.
OBJECTIVE
In official judo competitions, athletes usually engage in 5-7 matches in the same day, performing numerous high-intensity efforts interspersed by short recovery intervals. Thus, glycolytic demand in judo is high and acidosis may limit performance. Carnosine is a relevant intracellular acid buffer whose content is increased with beta-alanine supplementation. Thus, we hypothesized that beta-alanine supplementation could attenuate acidosis and improve judo performance.


METHODS
Twenty-three highly-trained judo athletes were randomly assigned to receive either beta-alanine (6.4gday-1) or placebo (dextrose, same dosage) for 4 weeks.


METHODS
Performance was assessed before (PRE) and after (POST) supplementation through a 5-min simulated fight (randori) followed by 3 bouts of the Special Judo Fitness Test (SJFT). Blood samples were collected for blood pH, bicarbonate (HCO3-) and lactate determination.


RESULTS
Beta-alanine supplementation improved the number of throws per set and the total number of throws (both p<0.05). Placebo did not change these variables (both p>0.05). Blood pH and HCO3-reduced after exercise (all p<0.001), with no between-group differences (all p>0.05). However, the lactate response to exercise increased in the beta-alanine group as compared to placebo (p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, 4 weeks of beta-alanine supplementation effectively enhance judo-related performance in highly-trained athletes.
Laboratory of Applied Nutrition and Metabolism, School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
Caroline
C
de Andrade Kratz
Laboratory of Applied Nutrition and Metabolism, School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address: vitor.painelli@usp.br.
Vitor
V
de Salles Painelli
Laboratory of Applied Nutrition and Metabolism, School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
Kleiner Márcio
KM
de Andrade Nemezio
Laboratory of Applied Nutrition and Metabolism, School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
Rafael Pires
RP
da Silva
Combat Sports and Martial Arts Research Group, School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
Emerson
E
Franchini
Laboratory of Physiology and Sport Performance (LAFIDE), Faculty of Sciences, Paulista State University, Brazil.
Alessandro Moura
AM
Zagatto
Laboratory of Applied Nutrition and Metabolism, School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
Bruno
B
Gualano
Laboratory of Applied Nutrition and Metabolism, School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
Guilherme Giannini
GG
Artioli
D000138:Acidosis; D000293:Adolescent; D056352:Athletes; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D016139:Martial Arts / Q000502:physiology*; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000187:drug effects*; D064133:Sports Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000187:drug effects; D015091:beta-Alanine / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D015091:beta-Alanine; D019344:Lactic Acid
Athletes; Buffers; Carnosine; Dietary supplement