Abstract
Supplementation with β-alanine is becoming a common practice in high-performance athletes. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of a one-week high-dose β-alanine loading phase employing a sustained-release powder on preserving the time-trial performance capacity of world tour cyclists during overreaching training. Per day, 20 g of sustained-release β-alanine was administered during one week (7 days) of intensive team training camp in a randomised balanced placebo-controlled parallel trial design, with six participants in each β-alanine (BA) or placebo (PLA) group. A 10-min time trial (10′ TT) was carried out to analyse performance and biochemical variables. Anthropometry, paresthesia, and adverse event data were also collected. Power-based relative training load was quantified. Compared to placebo, the BA improved mean power (6.21%, 37.23 W; 95% CI: 3.98–70.48 W, p = 0.046), distance travelled (2.16%, p = 0.046) and total work (4.85%, p = 0.046) without differences in cadence (p = 0.506) or RPE. Lactate (p = 0.036) and anion gap (p = 0.047) were also higher in the BA group, without differences in pH or Bicarbonate. High daily and single doses were well tolerated. One-week high-dose β-alanine loading with a sustained-release powder blend can help attenuate 10′ TT performance losses of world tour cyclists due to intensive training.
Highlights
L-histidine (L-his) to form a dipeptide called carnosine (Carn), which exerts the ergogenic effect associated with various physiological functions such as antioxidant activity, prevention of protein glycation reactions, increased sensitivity of calcium in muscle contraction, and a great capacity for intracellular buffering of hydrogen (H+ ) [2,3]
Cyclists belonged to a Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) World Team in the top 5 road category of elite male the previous year of the commencement of the study (2019), according to UCI’s ranking for team World Ranking officially published on its webpage [13]
When evaluating studies on β-alanine in athletes, the following three factors should be considered: the time-trial employed, the training status of the sample, and the total cumulative dose of β-ala provided as treatment
Summary
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Intake of β-alanine (β-ala) has become popular in high-level athletes, becoming one of the world’s most popular supplements, and being one of the five currently endorsed by the International Olympic Committee [1]. L-histidine (L-his) to form a dipeptide called carnosine (Carn), which exerts the ergogenic effect associated with various physiological functions such as antioxidant activity, prevention of protein glycation reactions, increased sensitivity of calcium in muscle contraction, and a great capacity for intracellular buffering of hydrogen (H+ ) [2,3]. Supplementing with supraphysiological doses is one of the most effective methods of increasing muscle
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