Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of β-alanine supplementation on a 10 km running time trial and lactate concentration in physically active adults. Sixteen healthy subjects were divided randomly into two groups: β-alanine (n = 8) and placebo group (n = 8). The experimental group ingested 5 g/day of β-alanine plus 1 g of resistant starch, and control group ingested 6 g of resistant starch, both for 23 days. Time to complete a 10-km running time trial and lactate concentration following the test were assessed at baseline and post 23 days. The running training program was performed three times per week on non-consecutive days (day 1: running 7 km; day 2: six sprints of 500 m at maximum speed with 2 min of recovery; day 3: running 12 km). The time to complete a 10-km running time trial decreased significantly only for the β-alanine group (Pre = 3441 ± 326.7, Post = 3209 ± 270.5 s, p < 0.05). When analyzing the delta (Time post minus Time at baseline value) there was a statistically significant difference between the β-alanine vs placebo group (-168.8 ± 156.6 vs. -53.60 ± 78.81 s, p = 0.007), respectively. In addition, the β-alanine group presented lower blood lactate concentration after the 10-km test (β-alanine: Pre = 8.45 ± 1.94 vs. Post = 6.95 ± 2.44 mmol/L; Placebo: Pre = 8.7 ± 3.0 vs. Post = 10.8 ± 2.5 mmol/L, p = 0.03). In conclusion, β-alanine supplementation improved the 10-km running time trial and reduced lactate concentration in physically active adults.
Highlights
Beta-alanine (β-alanine) is a non-proteinogenic amino acid that combined with histidine can result in a dipeptide called carnosine, formed through an ATP-dependent reaction inside skeletal muscle mass (Tiedje et al, 2010)
This was the first study to investigate the effects of β-alanine supplementation on a 10-km running time trial in physically active adults
The main finding of this study was that β-alanine supplementation improved performance in 10-km after 23 days of supplementation, with lower lactate concentration
Summary
Beta-alanine (β-alanine) is a non-proteinogenic amino acid that combined with histidine can result in a dipeptide called carnosine, formed through an ATP-dependent reaction inside skeletal muscle mass (Tiedje et al, 2010). Equimolar carnosine intake does not elevate muscle carnosine more than β-alanine alone (Derave et al, 2007) and the physiological roles of intramuscular carnosine during exercise suggest β-alanine supplementation as a great tool to enhance exercise performance. Previous studies have shown that β-alanine increased the intramuscular buffering of hydrogen ions (H+), delaying the acidosis induced during high-intensity exercise (Saunders et al, 2017). Another physiological role of carnosine that may explain these ergogenic effects is to increase calcium sensitivity in muscle fibers and the amount of work performed (Dutka and Lamb, 2004; Dutka et al, 2012). The increase in carnosine content could attenuate fatigue through its buffering capacities, and its ability to improve myofibrillar Ca2+ sensitivity (Sale et al, 2010)
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