title: Beta-Alanine Supplementation Improves Throwing Velocities in Repeated Sprint Ability and 200-m Swimming Performance in Young Water Polo Players.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of beta-alanine supplementation on specific tests for water polo. Fifteen young water polo players (16 ± 2 years) underwent a 200-m swimming performance, repeated-sprint ability test (RSA) with free throw (shooting), and 30-s maximal tethered eggbeater kicks. Participants were randomly allocated into two groups (placebo × beta-alanine) and supplemented with 6.4g∙day-1of beta-alanine or a placebo for six weeks. The mean and total RSA times, the magnitude based inference analysis showed a likely beneficial effect for beta-alanine supplementation (both). The ball velocity measured in the throwing performance after each sprint in the RSA presented a very like beneficial inference in the beta-alanine group for mean (96.4%) and percentage decrement of ball velocity (92.5%, likely beneficial). Furthermore, the percentage change for mean ball velocity was different between groups (beta-alanine=+2.5% and placebo=-3.5%; p = .034). In the 30-s maximal tethered eggbeater kicks the placebo group presented decreased peak force, mean force, and fatigue index, while the beta-alanine group maintained performance in mean force (44.1%, possibly beneficial), only presenting decreases in peak force. The 200-m swimming performance showed a possibly beneficial effect (68.7%). Six weeks of beta-alanine supplementation was effective for improving ball velocity shooting in the RSA, maintaining performance in the 30-s test, and providing possibly beneficial effects in the 200-m swimming performance.
authors.affiliation: 1 Sao Paulo State University.
authors.forename: Gabriel Machado
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Claus
authors.affiliation: 1 Sao Paulo State University.
authors.forename: Paulo Eduardo
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Redkva
authors.affiliation: 1 Sao Paulo State University.
authors.forename: Gabriel Mota Pinheiro
authors.initials: GMP
authors.lastname: Brisola
authors.affiliation: 1 Sao Paulo State University.
authors.forename: Elvis Sousa
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Malta
authors.affiliation: 1 Sao Paulo State University.
authors.forename: Rodrigo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: de Araujo Bonetti de Poli
authors.affiliation: 1 Sao Paulo State University.
authors.forename: Willian Eiji
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Miyagi
authors.affiliation: 1 Sao Paulo State University.
authors.forename: Alessandro Moura
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Zagatto
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018763:Muscle Fatigue / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D058573:Performance-Enhancing Substances / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013550:Swimming / Q000502:physiology; D000073678:Water Sports / Q000502:physiology*; D000067009:Youth Sports / Q000502:physiology*; D015091:beta-Alanine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D058573:Performance-Enhancing Substances; D015091:beta-Alanine
keywords: Carnosine; ergogenic aid; specific tests; team sports