Abstract
AbstractPurposeIntensive exercise significantly lowers the pH of muscle and blood; beta-alanine supplementation can increase carnosine levels, the absence of which leads to an early acidosis and fatigue. The aim of our work is to investigate the effect of a single dose of beta-alanine supplementation on well-trained rowing athletes.Materials/MethodsThe spiroergometric parameters of the participants (n = 28) were examined a total of four times (T1,T2,T3,T4). After measurement (T3), participants received a beta-alanine supplementation at a dose of 50 mg/kg−1 body weight. We compared the results of the four measurements as well as the blood lactate values obtained from the fingertip before and after the tests.ResultsThe different load physiological parameters and the lactate values measured after the tests did not show any significant difference. The mean lactate value prior to test (T4) was 1.8 (mmol*L−1), which is significantly higher than the mean-value of the two previous studies: T1 = 1.6 (mmol*L−1); (P = 0.00), T3 = 1.55 (mmol*L−1); (P = 0.04).ConclusionsThe higher lactate value measured before test (T4) was probably due to the longer time to return to the baseline values after the series load. In conclusion, a single dose of beta-alanine supplementation has no effect on performance. In order to elicit the ergogenic effect of beta-alanine, the use of short, intermittent diet therapy intervention is not recommended.
Highlights
Nowadays, athletes are paying increasingly more attention to their nutrition, as they would be unable to maintain adequate performance without the right intake of macro- and micronutrients
Intensive exercise significantly lowers the pH of muscle and blood; beta-alanine supplementation can increase carnosine levels, the absence of which leads to an early acidosis and fatigue
The aim of our work is to investigate the effect of a single dose of beta-alanine supplementation on well-trained rowing athletes
Summary
Athletes are paying increasingly more attention to their nutrition, as they would be unable to maintain adequate performance without the right intake of macro- and micronutrients. Histidine is a nonessential amino acid that occurs in high concentrations during carnosine synthesis in skeletal muscles [1] beta-alanine is found in much lower concentrations and appears to be a limiting. Due to the intracellular proton binding effect of carnosine, acidosis and fatigue occur earlier in the absence of carnosine [4]. With a daily intake of 4–6 g of beta-alanine for two weeks, a 20–30% increase in carnosine levels can be achieved [9] and a dietary supplement of 4–6 g per day for four weeks, a 40–60% increase in skeletal muscle carnosine levels can be achieved [10, 2]. To further increase carnosine levels, it is advisable to combine beta-alanine intake with an appropriate diet [13]
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