Effects of Beta-Alanine on Power Output and Blood Lactate Concentrations with Repeated Wingate Tests

Abstract

Past research supports that Beta-alanine (β-Alanine) delays the onset of blood lactate levels and increases the power output by the muscles. β-Alanine is not synthesized in the human body and has to be obtained through dietary supplementation (i.e., part of a dipeptide called carnosine). β-Alanine acts as an intramuscular buffer during anaerobic exercise, which is used to reduce lactate and keep the pH levels at a safe level so as to preserve the cellular enzyme activity. PURPOSE: To determine how a five day loading phase, at two different levels, of β-Alanine supplementation would affect power output and blood lactate concentrations METHODS: Student athletes from a Division II University performed three Wingate protocols on three separate occasions, separated by at least one week. Participants were randomly assigned the three different treatments; placebo, 3.2 or 6.4 grams of β-Alanine. Power output for each 30 second Wingate test was determined by recording pedal revolutions for each 5-second interval for each treatment. RESULTS: A 3 x 3 repeated measures ANOVA showed a significant main effect for time [(F(2,36)=16.02, p<0.001] and trial [(F(2,36)=62.95, p<0.001], but no time x trial interaction, for the total revolutions (i.e., power output) for all Wingate tests. A 2 x 9 repeated measures ANOVA showed a significant main effect for time [(8,72)=71.61, p<0.001], trial [(1,72)=108.6, p<0.001], and time x trial [(8,72)=17.85, p<0.001]. A paired-samples t test showed significance (p=0.02) between control Wingate post-exercise test #1 (10.2+1.3) vs. 6.4 gram β-Alanine Wingate post-exercise #1 (9.5+2.1). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, a five day loading phase for β-Alanine showed promise for time and trial changes in repeated Wingate tests (i.e., power output) and significant time x trial results for blood lactate. However, this study loaded β-Alanine for five days, while a typical loading phase is 28 days. This may have led to the lack of significance between control and the two β-Alanine treatment quantities for time x trial in the repeated Wingate tests. Moreover, while the blood lactate concentrations showed significance, it was only at one particular time compared to trial. More research needs to be conducted in terms of β-Alanine loading phase time and repeated anaerobic tests.