Incremental effects of 28 days of beta-alanine supplementation on high-intensity cycling performance and blood lactate in masters female cyclists

Abstract

Within the aging population, there exists a subset of individuals termed masters athletes (MA). As masters-level competition increases in popularity, MA must find methods to enhance individual athletic performance. Longitudinal beta-alanine (BA) supplementation is suggested to enhance physical capability during exercise; however, these effects have not been evaluated in MA. To examine the longitudinal effects of BA on time to exhaustion (TTE), total work completed (TWC), and lactate clearance in female MA cyclists. Twenty-two female MA (age = 53.3 ± 1.0) participated in this double-blind design. Subjects were randomly assigned to BA (n = 11; 800 mg BA + 8 g dextrose) or placebo (PLA; n = 11; 8 g dextrose) groups and supplemented 4 doses/day over 28 days. Every 7 days, subjects completed a cycling TTE at 120% VO2max, and TWC was calculated. Blood lactate was measured at baseline, immediate post, and 20-min post each TTE. No significant differences existed between groups for any variable at baseline (p > 0.05). After 28 days supplementation, BA had greater TTE (23 vs 1% change) and TWC (21 vs 2% change) than PLA (p < 0.05). Following the 20-min TTE recovery, lactate was 24% lower in BA compared to PLA (4.35 vs. 5.76 mmol/L, respectively). No differences existed for variables during intermittent weeks. 28 days of BA supplementation increased cycling performance via an enhanced time to exhaustion and total work completed with associated lactate clearance during passive rest in female MA.

Effects of 4 weeks of β-alanine supplementation on aerobic fitness in water polo players

“…However, the study of Brisola et al [ 8 ] with water polo players showed that 4 weeks of β-alanine supplementation slightly improved repeated sprint ability in specific-protocol testing. Furthermore, some studies also did not find significant changes in after supplementation with β-alanine [ 19 , 23 , 42 ], indicating that β-alanine supplementation may have little or no influence on this physiological variable. In addition, the only study [ 27 ] in the literature that found a significant reduction in with β-alanine supplementation did not use pure β-alanine and the authors considered the reduction as an unexpected effect.…”

β-alanine supplementation to improve exercise capacity and performance: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Where data were incomplete, authors were contacted to obtain the relevant information. Data from one study were not received,23 meaning that this study was not included in the analyses.…”

Effects of Dietary Supplements on Adaptations to Endurance Training

“…As β-alanine is considered primarily effective within 1-to 10-minute time frames [9], endurance athletes who undertake interval training sessions within that duration may benefit from an improved adaptive response to training by accumulating a greater workload during each session. This may be due to a number of inter-related factors including improved pH buffering [43], which can allow a greater reliance on aerobic metabolism and thus reduced accumulation of glycolytic metabolites for the same exercise intensity [44], decreased levels of blood lactate during the recovery from supra-maximal exercise [45], a reduction in oxidative stress due to the antioxidant effects of carnosine that could allow improved recovery between demanding workouts [46][47][48], an increased threshold for neuromuscular fatigue [41], and/or reduced feelings of fatigue during periods of heavy training [42,44]. It has also been suggested that increases in calcium sensitivity [49], or in calcium re-uptake [50], may also play a role in the ergogenic effects of β-alanine by helping to slow the decline in muscle performance during fatiguing exercise.…”