title: Effects of Four Weeks of β-Alanine Supplementation on Repeated Sprint Ability in Water Polo Players.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of four weeks of β-alanine supplementation on repeated sprint ability in water polo players. Twenty-two male water polo players participated in the study, divided randomly into two homogeneous groups (placebo and β-alanine groups). The study design was double-blind, parallel and placebo controlled. Before and after the supplementation period (28 days), the athletes performed two specific repeated sprint ability tests interspaced by a 30-minute swimming test. Participants received 4.8g∙day-1 of the supplement (dextrose or β-alanine) on the first 10 days and 6.4g∙day-1 on the final 18 days. There was no significant group-time interaction for any variable. The qualitative inference for substantial changes demonstrated a likely beneficial effect in the β-alanine group (β-alanine vs placebo) for mean time (6.6±0.4s vs 6.7±0.4s; 81% likely beneficial), worst time (6.9±0.5s vs 7.1±0.5s; 78% likely beneficial) and total time (39.3±2.5s vs 40.4±2.5s; 81% likely beneficial) in the first repeated sprint ability set and for worst time (7.2±0.6s vs 7.5±0.6s; 57% possible beneficial) in the second repeated sprint ability set. Further, was found substantial change for total time for both repeated sprint ability tests (80.8±5.7s vs 83.4±5.6s; 52% possible beneficial). To conclude, four weeks of β-alanine supplementation had a likely beneficial effect in the first set of repeated sprint ability tests and a possible beneficial effect for worst time in the second set performed in a specific protocol in water polo players.
authors.affiliation: Post-Graduate Program in Movement Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Institute of Biosciences, Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil.|Laboratory of Physiology and Sport Performance (LAFIDE), Department of Physical Education, São Paulo State University (Unesp), School of Sciences, Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gabriel Motta Pinheiro
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Brisola
authors.affiliation: Department of Sport Science, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Guilherme Giannini
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Artioli
authors.affiliation: School of Physical Education and Sport of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Papoti
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Physiology and Sport Performance (LAFIDE), Department of Physical Education, São Paulo State University (Unesp), School of Sciences, Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alessandro Moura
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Zagatto
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D054874:Athletic Performance; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D058573:Performance-Enhancing Substances / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013550:Swimming; D055815:Young Adult; D015091:beta-Alanine / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D058573:Performance-Enhancing Substances; D015091:beta-Alanine