β-Alanine Improves Punch Force and Frequency in Amateur Boxers During a Simulated Contest

Abstract

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that ß-alanine supplementation improves punch power and frequency in amateur boxers during a simulated contest. Sixteen amateur boxers (each approximately 6 yr experience) were assigned to ß-alanine (n = 8; 1.5 g 4 times/d for 4 wk) or placebo supplementation (n = 8) after initially being assessed for baseline punch performance. Before and after the supplementation period, all boxers completed a simulated contest consisting of 3 × 3-min rounds (interspersed with 60-s rests) on a punching bag (with a force transducer attached). Each round involved performing 2 min 50 s standardized punching (standardized jab, cross combination) based on notation analysis, whereas the last 10 s involved maximal-output punching (standardized jab, cross combination), during which time punch force and frequency were recorded. Postcontest blood lactate was significantly increased in the ß-alanine group (presupplementation 9.5 ± 0.9 mmol/L, postsupplementation 12.6 ± 0.5 mmol/L, p < .05), whereas the placebo group showed no change (presupplementation 8 ± 2.8 mmol/L, postsupplementation 7.0 ± 2.7 mmol/L; p > .05). During the 10-s maximal-output punching, changes in mean punch force (ß-alanine 20 ± 1.01 kg, placebo 1 ± 1 kg) and punch frequency (ß-alanine 5 ± 4, placebo -2 ± 3) were greater (p < .05) in the ß-alanine-supplemented group. The authors conclude that ß-alanine supplementation improves punching performance in amateur boxers and suggest that this supplementation protocol may also prove ergogenic for other combat-related sports.

Beta-alanine supplementation enhances judo-related performance in highly-trained athletes

“…Some studies have failed to observe positive effects of BA on sports tasks, such as 400-m sprint running, 26 4-min 2728 and 1-h cycling time-trials. 29 In contrast, positive effects of BA have been shown in sports such as cycling (e.g., sprints, 4-km time-trial), 16,22 boxing, 17 soccer, 18 100-m and 200-m freestyle swimming timetrial 19 , 800-m running 20 and 2000-m rowing time-trials 21 . One possible explanation for the lack of positive results in some studies [26][27][28][29] may rely on the type of the exercise tests, which may have been too short or too long to properly stress the anaerobic glycolytic metabolism, and hence, induce H + accumulation.…”

“…10,14 It has been demonstrated that chronic BA supplementation (typically 4-10 weeks) may improve performance in a wide range of sports, especially in those characterized by a marked glycolytic demand. [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] Interestingly, BA appears to be as effective in highly-trained athletes as it is in physically active individuals. 23 Since BA has shown to be ergogenic in highly-trained athletes and in sports limited by acidosis, we hypothesized that BA could improve judo-related performance.…”

Additive effects of beta-alanine and sodium bicarbonate on upper-body intermittent performance

“…Since then, an increasing number of studies have examined the potential ergogenic effects of BA across a range of exercise (Stout et al 2007, 2008; Sweeney et al 2010; Sale et al 2011; Jagim et al 2012; Smith-Ryan et al 2012) and sport-specific (Derave et al 2007; Baguet et al 2010; Van Thienen et al 2009; Bellinger et al 2012; Saunders et al 2012) tests. Despite some conflicting results, a recent meta-analysis concluded that BA is effective in improving exercise capacity (Hobson et al 2012), but only four studies have assessed the effects of BA supplementation on high-intensity intermittent exercise performance (Derave et al 2007; Donovan et al 2012; Saunders et al 2012; Smith-Ryan et al 2012), a model of exercise that is likely to be most sensitive in detecting the ergogenic effects of beta-alanine in comparison to continuous exercise. In contrast to some studies using continuous exercise protocols, our data convincingly demonstrate that BA alone (i.e.…”

“…Not surprisingly, the ergogenic effects of induced alkalosis have been more evident in intermittent than in continuous high-intensity exercises (Costill et al 1984). To our knowledge, however, only four studies have examined the effects of BA supplementation on high-intensity intermittent performance thus far (Derave et al 2007; Donovan et al 2012; Saunders et al 2012; Smith-Ryan et al 2012), with conflicting results being observed. Similarly, the two currently available studies on the combined effects of BA and SB have also used continuous exercise to assess performance (Sale et al 2011; Bellinger et al 2012), which may partially explain the lack of significant effects.…”

Physiological and perceptual responses to three consecutive official matches in female boxer. A case study

“…In psychometric, laboratory studies, this dilemma is known as a go/nogo task, and is performed without huge and acute fatigue, contrary to the conditions occurring during a real fight. No wonder that physiologists offer boxing contestants various pharmacological aids to improve their punching performance [5,24]. The other, non-directed way leading to enhanced psycho-physical abilities among boxers is based on comprehensive understanding of the physiological processes that occur during a boxing competition.…”