Effect of beta-alanine supplementation on repeated sprint performance during the Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test

Amino Acids. 2012 Jul;43(1):39-47. doi: 10.1007/s00726-012-1268-0. Epub 2012 Mar 21.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of β-alanine supplementation on repeated sprint performance during an intermittent exercise protocol designed to replicate games play. Sixteen elite and twenty non-elite game players performed the Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test (LIST) on two separate occasions. Trials were separated by 4 weeks of supplementation with either β-alanine (BA) or maltodextrin (MD). There was no deterioration in sprint times from Set 1 to Set 6 of the LIST in either group prior to supplementation (elite: P=0.92; non-elite: P=0.12). Neither BA nor MD supplementation affected sprint times. Blood lactate concentrations were elevated during exercise in both groups, with no effect of supplementation. β-Alanine supplementation did not significantly improve sprint performance during the LIST. Neither group showed a performance decrement prior to supplementation, which might have masked any benefit from increased muscle buffering capacity due to β-alanine supplementation.

Publication types

  • Controlled Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Athletic Performance*
  • Carnosine / metabolism
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Exercise Test
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Performance-Enhancing Substances / administration & dosage*
  • Performance-Enhancing Substances / pharmacology
  • Physical Endurance / drug effects*
  • Running*
  • Young Adult
  • beta-Alanine / administration & dosage*
  • beta-Alanine / pharmacology

Substances

  • Performance-Enhancing Substances
  • beta-Alanine
  • Carnosine