Abstract
PurposeTo examine the effect of betaine supplementation on cycling sprint performance.MethodsSixteen recreationally active subjects (7 females and 9 males) completed three sprint tests, each consisting of four 12 sec efforts against a resistance equal to 5.5% of body weight; efforts were separated by 2.5 min of cycling at zero resistance. Test one established baseline; test two and three were preceded by seven days of daily consumption of 591 ml of a carbohydrate-electrolyte beverage as a placebo or a carbohydrate-electrolyte beverage containing 0.42% betaine (approximately 2.5 grams of betaine a day); half the beverage was consumed in the morning and the other half in the afternoon. We used a double blind random order cross-over design; there was a 3 wk washout between trials two and three. Average and maximum peak and mean power were analyzed with one-way repeated measures ANOVA and, where indicated, a Student Newman-Keuls.ResultsCompared to baseline, betaine ingestion increased average peak power (6.4%; p < 0.001), maximum peak power (5.7%; p < 0.001), average mean power (5.4%; p = 0.004), and maximum mean power (4.4%; p = 0.004) for all subjects combined. Compared to placebo, betaine ingestion significantly increased average peak power (3.4%; p = 0.026), maximum peak power max (3.8%; p = 0.007), average mean power (3.3%; p = 0.034), and maximum mean power (3.5%; p = 0.011) for all subjects combined. There were no differences between the placebo and baseline trials.ConclusionsOne week of betaine ingestion improved cycling sprint power in recreationally active males and females.
Highlights
Betaine is a nutrient found in a variety of animals, plants, and microorganisms [1]
Betaine ingestion increased average peak power (6.4%; p < 0.001), maximum peak power (5.7%; p < 0.001), average mean power (5.4%; p = 0.004), and maximum mean power (4.4%; p = 0.004) for all subjects combined
We found that one week of betaine ingestion (2.5 g.d-1) improved sprint performance by 5.5 ± 0.8% compared to baseline and 3.5 ± 0.2% compared to the carbohydrate placebo
Summary
Betaine is a nutrient found in a variety of animals, plants, and microorganisms [1]. It is a component of many foods, with whole grains (e.g., wheat, rye), spinach, shellfish and beets [2] being rich sources. Since betaine is an osmolyte that protects cells under stress [6,7], initial studies on the potential ergogenicity focused on the acute effects of betaine ingestion on performance in the heat [8,9]. Subjects completed a 15 min cycling time trial after riding for 2 hr at 60-75% VO2max in the heat [9]; immediately after the time trial, isometric leg strength was examined. Isometric leg strength was significantly greater after the betaine trials compared to the non-betaine trials
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have