Effects of beta-alanine supplementation on Yo-Yo test performance: A meta-analysis.
- 2021-06
- Clinical nutrition ESPEN 43
- Jozo Grgic
- PubMed: 34024507
- DOI: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2021.03.027
Study Design
- Type
- Meta-Analysis
- Population
- athletes
- Methods
- Nine databases were searched to find relevant studies. A random-effects meta-analysis of standardized mean differences (SMD) was performed for data analysis.
Objective
The aim of this meta-analysis was to explore the effects of beta-alanine supplementation on Yo-Yo test performance.Methods
Nine databases were searched to find relevant studies. A random-effects meta-analysis of standardized mean differences (SMD) was performed for data analysis. Subgroup meta-analyses were conducted to explore the effects of beta-alanine supplementation duration on Yo-Yo test performance, and the effects of beta-alanine supplementation on performance only in Yo-Yo level 2 test variants.Results
Ten study groups were included in the meta-analysis. All studies included athletes as study participants. When considering all available studies, there was no significant difference between the placebo/control and beta-alanine groups (SMD: 0.68; 95% confidence interval 1.67). When considering only the studies that used supplementation protocols lasting between 6 and 12 weeks, there was a significant ergogenic effect of beta-alanine (SMD: 1.02; 95% CI: 0.01, 2.05). When considering only the studies that used the level 2 variants of the Yo-Yo test, there was a significant ergogenic effect of beta-alanine (SMD: 1.41; 95% CI: 0.35, 2.48).Conclusions
This meta-analysis found that beta-alanine is ergogenic for Yo-Yo test performance in athletes when the supplementation protocol lasts between 6 and 12 weeks and when using the level 2 variants of the Yo-Yo test.Research Insights
When considering only the studies that used the level 2 variants of the Yo-Yo test, there was a significant ergogenic effect of beta-alanine (SMD: 1.41; 95% CI: 0.35, 2.48).
- Effect
- Beneficial
- Effect size
- Large