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Fourteen weeks of β-alanine supplementation and HIIT did not improve serum BDNF concentrations and Stroop test performance.

  • 2025-01-20
  • International journal of sports medicine 46(05)
    • Paloma Tavares Mendonça
    • Yago Medeiros Dutra
    • Barbara M Antunes
    • Fabio Lira
    • Alessandro Moura Zagatto

Study Design

Type
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Population
Thirteen healthy and active men
Methods
4-week supplementation period (β-alanine: 6.4 g/d or a placebo) followed by 10-week supplementation combined with high-intensity intermittent training, totaling 14 weeks of intervention. Measurements at baseline, after 4 weeks, and after 14 weeks: graded exercise test, blood samples for brain-derived neurotrophic factor, Stroop test, and lactate.
Duration
14 weeks
Funding
Unclear
This study aimed to investigate whether 14 weeks of β-alanine supplementation and high-intensity intermittent training improves brain-derived neurotrophic factor concentrations and cognitive aspects related to executive functions assessed by the Stroop test. Thirteen healthy and active men underwent a 4-week supplementation period (β-alanine: 6.4 g/d or a placebo) followed by 10-week supplementation combined with high-intensity intermittent training, totaling 14 weeks of intervention. Participants underwent a graded exercise test, while the blood samples for brain-derived neurotrophic factor analysis and the Stroop test (cognitive task) were assessed before and after a high-intensity intermittent exercise (10 runs of 1:1 min effort and a pause ratio at 130% of respiratory compensation point). These measurements were performed three times across the study being at baseline, after 4 weeks of supplementation (POST4weeks) and at the end of the 14 weeks of study (POST14weeks). Compared to baseline values, there were no improvements in brain-derived neurotrophic factor concentrations or Stroop test performance with either β-alanine or high-intensity intermittent training. Lactate peak concentrations in a high-intensity intermittent exercise session also did not differ between groups. However, high-intensity intermittent training did improve some cardiorespiratory parameters (i.e., intensity associated with V̇O2maxp=0.01 and respiratory compensation point, p=0.01). In conclusion, β-alanine supplementation alone or associated with high-intensity intermittent training did not improve the brain-derived neurotrophic factor concentrations and Stroop test performance in healthy men.

Research Insights

  • Beta-Alanine→Improved Attention Span

    there were no improvements in brain-derived neurotrophic factor concentrations or Stroop test performance with either β-alanine or high-intensity intermittent training

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    6.4 g/d
  • Beta-Alanine→Improved Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Level

    there were no improvements in brain-derived neurotrophic factor concentrations or Stroop test performance with either β-alanine or high-intensity intermittent training

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    6.4 g/d
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