Effect of Beta-Alanine Supplementation on Exercise-Induced Cell Damage and Lactate Accumulation in Female Basketball Players: a Randomized, Double-Blind Study

Abstract

Beta-alanine (BA) is a supplement that has received attention for its buffering potential among athletes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of BA supplementation on exercise performance and exercise-induced cell damage in female basketball players. Twenty-two female basketball players participated in a randomized, double-blind study. They ingested 6.4 g·day-1 of BA or an isocaloric placebo (dextrose) over 4 weeks. Exercise performance including aerobic (Bruce test), anaerobic (Wingate test), intermittent (Yo-Yo test) and basketball performance (countermovement jump and free throw shots) was measured before and following the intervention. Exercise measures were performed at the lab and free throw shots were undertaken on a wooden indoor basketball court. Blood samples were also collected before and after the exhaustive exercise to assess lactate concentration, creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) activity. The exhaustive exercise test induced an increase in lactate concentration and MDA, CK and LDH activity (all p < 0.05). BA supplementation significantly reduced the lactate response to exhaustive exercise (p = 0.001); however, it had no significant effect on exercise-induced MDA, CK and LDH activity (all p > 0.05). Furthermore, exercise performance measures improved from pre- to post-test regardless of supplement/placebo ingestion (all p < 0.05). BA consumption over 4 weeks significantly reduced lactate accumulation following exhaustive exercise, but had no ergogenic effect in female basketball players. Usual dosing of BA does not seem to exhibit protective effect against oxidative damage.

Comparison between acute effects of β-alanine supplementation on psychophysiological scales, blood lactate, training impulse and heart rate variability during high-intensity functional training

“…The same result was observed when the effect of a 28-days administration of β-alanine and placebo on BLC was compared in master female cyclists after a high intensity training (18). In female basketball players, β-alanine consumption for 4 weeks (6.4g daily) reduced lactate accumulation following exhaustive exercise (3,17,22).…”

Interleukin-15 Contributes to the Benefits of Βeta-Alanine Supplementation on the Performance of Elite Volleyball Players

“…Although values vary by position, with guards typically having higher aerobic/anaerobic capacity than liberos, Beta-Alanine supplementation in this study increased VO2max from 55.72 ± 2.68 mL/kg/min to 62.09 ± 2.25 mL/kg/min in elite volleyball players (23). Consumption of beta-alanine has been shown to significantly increase carnosine levels in skeletal muscles, correlating with enhanced exercise performance (4,17). A possible mechanism for these anabolic effects is that carnosine substantially reduces the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6, which initiates the downstream inflammatory signaling pathway (4).…”

“…Twenty-two male volleyball players from the Division 1 Volleyball League, aged 22 -28 years, were selected and randomly divided into two groups of 11 individuals: (1) A supplement group and (2) a control group. The supplement group received 6.4 g/day of Beta-Alanine in 8 servings of 800 mg each through oral administration for 4 weeks, while both groups continued their regular volleyball training three days a week (4,17), on even days. The control group engaged in the same training regimen but did not consume any supplements.…”

Effects of Beta-alanine Supplementation on Recovery and Performance Factors in Male Soccer Players

“…Previous studies that investigated the effect of betaalanine supplementation on metabolic parameters related to recovery; showed similar findings; Roveratti et al did not observe a significant impact on reducing creatine kinase index after using beta-alanine supplements (16). Also, Gholami et al showed that four weeks of BA supplementation had no significant effect on CK in female basketball players (17). In resistance training, the increase in creatine kinase levels may be more effective due to the further destruction of the cell membrane (18).…”