High-velocity intermittent running: effects of beta-alanine supplementation.
- 2012-10
- Journal of strength and conditioning research 26(10)
- Abbie E Smith-Ryan
- David H Fukuda
- Jeffrey R Stout
- Kristina L Kendall
- Kristina L Kendall
- PubMed: 22797003
- DOI: 10.1519/jsc.0b013e318267922b
Study Design
- Type
- Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
- Sample size
- n = 26
- Population
- Fifty recreationally trained men
- Methods
- randomly assigned, in a double-blind fashion, to a β-alanine group (BA, 2 × 800 mg tablets, 3 times daily; CarnoSyn; n = 26) or placebo group (PL, 2 × 800 mg maltodextrin tablets, 3 times daily; n = 24). A graded exercise test (GXT) was performed to establish peak velocity (PV). Three high-speed runs to exhaustion were performed at 110, 100, and 90% of PV, with 15 minutes of rest between bouts.
- Blinding
- Double-blind
The use of β-alanine in sport is widespread. However, the effects across all sport activities are inconclusive. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of β-alanine supplementation on high-intensity running performance and critical velocity (CV) and anaerobic running capacity (ARC). Fifty recreationally trained men were randomly assigned, in a double-blind fashion, to a β-alanine group (BA, 2 × 800 mg tablets, 3 times daily; CarnoSyn; n = 26) or placebo group (PL, 2 × 800 mg maltodextrin tablets, 3 times daily; n = 24). A graded exercise test (GXT) was performed to establish peak velocity (PV). Three high-speed runs to exhaustion were performed at 110, 100, and 90% of PV, with 15 minutes of rest between bouts. The distances achieved were plotted over the time to exhaustion (TTE). Linear regression was used to determine the slope (CV) and y-intercept (ARC) of these relationships to assess aerobic and anaerobic performances, respectively. There were no significant treatment effects (p > 0.05) on CV or ARC for either men or women. Additionally, no TTE effects were evident for bouts at 90-110%PV lasting 1.95-5.06 minutes. There seems to be no ergogenic effect of β-alanine supplementation on CV, ARC, or high-intensity running lasting approximately 2-5 minutes in either men or women in the current study.
Research Insights
There were no significant treatment effects (p > 0.05) on CV or ARC for either men or women.
- Effect
- Neutral
- Effect size
- Small
- Dose
- 2 × 800 mg tablets, 3 times daily (total 4800 mg/day)
There were no significant treatment effects (p > 0.05) on CV or ARC for either men or women.
- Effect
- Neutral
- Effect size
- Small
- Dose
- 2 × 800 mg tablets, 3 times daily (total 4800 mg/day)
Additionally, no TTE effects were evident for bouts at 90-110%PV lasting 1.95-5.06 minutes.
- Effect
- Neutral
- Effect size
- Small
- Dose
- 2 × 800 mg tablets, 3 times daily (total 4800 mg/day)