title: Six weeks of β-alanine supplementation did not enhance repeated-sprint ability or technical performances in young elite basketball players.
abstract: Supplementation with β-alanine plays an important role as a precursor of carnosine, the most effective intramuscular buffer, and has been seen as a potential ergogenic aid, especially for high-intensity modalities such as basketball. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of 6 weeks of β-alanine supplementation on repeated sprint ability (RSA) and technical performances in young elite Brazilian basketball players. In total, 27 young basketball players (17±1 years) were randomized into a β-alanine group (Gβ - 6.4 g day-1of β-alanine) and a placebo group (GP - 6.4 g day-1of dextrose). Before and after the supplementation period the athletes performed a RSA test composed of ten 30 m sprints with two 180° changes of direction interspaced by 30 s of recovery. During the recovery period (i.e., after the sprints) the athletes performed a countermovement jump (CMJ) and a set of three free throws. After 48 h they performed a Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1). Both groups increased the distance covered in the Yo-Yo IR1 after the supplementation period ( p = 0.001). On the other hand, both groups presented impairment in RSA time-performance (total time, best time, and mean time, p ≤ 0.04), while no significant changes were observed for technical task performances (i.e., CMJ and free throws) ( p ≥ 0.07). No between-group interactions were observed for any variable measured ( p ≥ 0.31). Thus, 6 weeks of β-alanine supplementation did not improve RSA or technical performances in young elite basketball players.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Bauru/SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Milioni
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Bauru/SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Paulo E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Redkva
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Bauru/SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fabio A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Barbieri
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Bauru/SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alessandro M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Zagatto
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D056352:Athletes; D054874:Athletic Performance; D001490:Basketball; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001938:Brazil; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D010807:Physical Endurance; D012420:Running; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult; D015091:beta-Alanine / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D015091:beta-Alanine; D019344:Lactic Acid
keywords: Repeated sprint ability; Yo-Yo IR1; exercise testing; free throws; jump ability