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Evaluation of High-Intensity Interval Training and Beta-Alanine Supplementation on Efficiency of Electrical Activity and Electromyographic Fatigue Threshold.

  • 2021-04-05
  • Journal of strength and conditioning research 35(6)
    • Ashley A Herda
    • Abbie E Smith-Ryan
    • Kristina L Kendall
    • Joel T Cramer
    • Jeffrey R Stout

Study Design

Type
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Population
44 young women (mean ± SD; age [yrs]: 21.7 ± 3.7; height [cm]: 166.3 ± 6.4; body mass [kg]: 66.1 ± 10.3)
Methods
randomly assigned to one of 3 treatment groups; performed HIIT on the cycle ergometer 3 times·wk-1 for 6 weeks; electromyographic fatigue threshold and EEA were assessed at baseline (PRE), after 3 weeks of training (MID), and after 6 weeks of HIIT (POST); 2-way mixed factorial analyses of variance
Duration
6 weeks

Abstract

Herda, AA, Smith-Ryan, AE, Kendall, KL, Cramer, JT, and Stout, JR. Evaluation of high-intensity interval training and beta-alanine supplementation on efficiency of electrical activity and electromyographic fatigue threshold. J Strength Cond Res 35(6): 1535-1541, 2021-The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) with or without β-alanine (BA) supplementation on the electromyographic fatigue threshold (EMGFT) and efficiency of electrical activity (EEA) in young women. Forty-four women (mean ± SD; age ± 3.7; height ± 6.4; body mass ± 10.3) were randomly assigned to one of 3 treatment groups. The supplement groups performed HIIT on the cycle ergometer 3 times·wk-1 for 6 weeks. Electromyographic fatigue threshold and EEA were assessed at baseline (PRE), after 3 weeks of training (MID), and after 6 weeks of HIIT (POST). Two 2-way mixed factorial analyses of variance (time [PRE vs. MID vs. POST] × treatment (BA vs. PL vs. CON)] were used to analyze EMGFT and EEA with a predetermined level of significance α of 0.05. For EMGFT, there was no interaction (p = 0.26) and no main effect for time (p = 0.28) nor treatment (p = 0.86); thus, there were no changes in EMGFT regardless of training or supplementation status. For EEA, there was no interaction (p = 0.70) nor treatment (p = 0.79); however, there was a main effect for time (p < 0.01). Our findings indicated that neither training nor supplementation was effective in improving EMGFT in women. Efficiency of electrical activity was altered, potentially because of a learning effect. Coaches and practitioners may not use these tests to monitor training status; however, they may find EEA as a useful tool to track cycling efficiency.

Research Insights

  • Beta-Alanine→Improved Efficiency of Electrical Activity

    For EEA, there was no interaction (p = 0.70) nor treatment (p = 0.79); however, there was a main effect for time (p < 0.01).

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
  • Beta-Alanine→Improved Fatigue Threshold

    For EMGFT, there was no interaction (p = 0.26) and no main effect for time (p = 0.28) nor treatment (p = 0.86); thus, there were no changes in EMGFT regardless of training or supplementation status.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
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