Effects Of Chronic Beta-alanine Ingestion On 800 m Run Performance In A Cadet Population

Abstract

PURPOSE: To examine the effects of 28 days of beta-alanine (BA) supplementation on 800 meter running performance. METHODS: Eight male cadets (20.5 +/- 1.5 yrs) volunteered to participate in this 28-day, double-blind, placebo-controlled study and were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups: placebo (PLA; 1.5 g dextrose; n = 4) or Beta-Alanine (BA; 1.5 g BA; n = 4). The supplement was ingested 2 times per day on every training day of which there were 5 a week. The subjects performed two timed, 800 m runs, one on Day 1 of the supplementation period and one on day 28. A two-sample t-test was used to determine if significant differences were present between the performance times of the two groups. A percent increase/decrease evaluation was also used to analyze the changes to performance times over the 4-week training period. RESULTS: Performance time before and after the chronic BA or PLA ingestion did not differ significantly (p = 0.38). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggested that BA had no effect on 800 m performance at this specific dose over a 4-week supplementation period. This is contrary to the findings of previous studies and further research is needed to determine the effect of BA on 800 m run and performance of other anaerobic endurance tests.