Abstract
Although some laboratory-based studies show an ergogenic effect with beta-alanine supplementation, there is a lack of field-based research in training and competition settings. Elite/Sub-elite swimmers (n = 23 males and 18 females, age = 21.7 ± 2.8 years; mean ± SD) were supplemented with either beta-alanine (4 weeks loading phase of 4.8 g/day and 3.2 g/day thereafter) or placebo for 10 weeks. Competition performance times were log-transformed, then evaluated before (National Championships) and after (international or national selection meet) supplementation. Swimmers also completed three standardized training sets at baseline, 4 and 10 weeks of supplementation. Capillary blood was analyzed for pH, bicarbonate and lactate concentration in both competition and training. There was an unclear effect (0.4%; ±0.8%, mean, ±90% confidence limits) of beta-alanine on competition performance compared to placebo with no meaningful changes in blood chemistry. While there was a transient improvement on training performance after 4 weeks with beta-alanine (−1.3%; ±1.0%), there was an unclear effect at ten weeks (−0.2%; ±1.5%) and no meaningful changes in blood chemistry. Beta-alanine supplementation appears to have minimal effect on swimming performance in non-laboratory controlled real-world training and competition settings.
Highlights
The use of dietary supplements is common in athletic populations [1]
An increase in muscle carnosine concentration following beta-alanine supplementation may improve performance during exercise tasks associated with the accumulation of hydrogen ions (H+)
Post-hoc analysis using International Point Score (IPS) as a covariate to ascertain any influence of swimming ability resulted in similar effects
Summary
The use of dietary supplements is common in athletic populations [1]. Examples of supplements which enjoy popular support, as well as a strong evidence-base for ergogenic effects on sports performance, include creatine, caffeine and sodium bicarbonate [2,3]. A newer supplement of interest among both athletes and sports scientists, is the amino acid, beta-alanine This interest stems from recent evidence that chronic beta-alanine supplementation can increase carnosine concentration in the muscle [4,5,6]. An increase in muscle carnosine concentration following beta-alanine supplementation may improve performance during exercise tasks associated with the accumulation of hydrogen ions (H+) In support of this assertion, studies have reported ergogenic benefits of beta-alanine supplementation in a variety of laboratory-based protocols, including a 30-s maximal effort at the end of a simulated cycling race [12], repeated maximal isokinetic knee extensions [6], and total work done in a cycle to exhaustion test [5]. This is the first study to examine the effectiveness of beta-alanine supplementation in elite athletes on training and competition in a real-world setting
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