One-Week High-Dose β-Alanine Loading Improves World Tour Cyclists' Time-Trial Performance.

2021-07-25
Nutrients 13(8)
- Vicente Ávila-Gandía
- Antonio Torregrosa-García
- Silvia Pérez-Piñero
- Raquel Ortolano
- María Salud Abellán-Ruiz
- F Javier López-Román

PubMed: 34444703
DOI: 10.3390/nu13082543

Study Design

Type: Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Population: world tour cyclists
Methods: randomised balanced placebo-controlled parallel trial design, 7 days of 20 g/day sustained-release β-alanine
Blinding: Double-blind
Duration: one week (7 days)
Funding: Unclear

Rigorous Journal

Supplementation with β-alanine is becoming a common practice in high-performance athletes. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of a one-week high-dose β-alanine loading phase employing a sustained-release powder on preserving the time-trial performance capacity of world tour cyclists during overreaching training. Per day, 20 g of sustained-release β-alanine was administered during one week (7 days) of intensive team training camp in a randomised balanced placebo-controlled parallel trial design, with six participants in each β-alanine (BA) or placebo (PLA) group. A 10-min time trial (10' TT) was carried out to analyse performance and biochemical variables. Anthropometry, paresthesia, and adverse event data were also collected. Power-based relative training load was quantified. Compared to placebo, the BA improved mean power (6.21%, 37.23 W; 95% CI: 3.98-70.48 W, p = 0.046), distance travelled (2.16%, p = 0.046) and total work (4.85%, p = 0.046) without differences in cadence (p = 0.506) or RPE. Lactate (p = 0.036) and anion gap (p = 0.047) were also higher in the BA group, without differences in pH or Bicarbonate. High daily and single doses were well tolerated. One-week high-dose β-alanine loading with a sustained-release powder blend can help attenuate 10' TT performance losses of world tour cyclists due to intensive training.

Research Insights

Beta-Alanine→Changed Bicarbonate Level
without differences in pH or Bicarbonate
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
20 g/day for 7 days
Beta-Alanine→Changed Walking Cadence
without differences in cadence (p = 0.506) or RPE
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
20 g/day for 7 days
Beta-Alanine→Improved Distance Traveled
distance travelled (2.16%, p = 0.046)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
20 g/day of sustained-release β-alanine for 7 days
Beta-Alanine→Improved Mean Power
Compared to placebo, the BA improved mean power (6.21%, 37.23 W; 95% CI: 3.98-70.48 W, p = 0.046)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
20 g/day of sustained-release β-alanine for 7 days
Beta-Alanine→Improved Work Capacity
total work (4.85%, p = 0.046)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
20 g/day of sustained-release β-alanine for 7 days
Beta-Alanine→Increased Anion Gap
Lactate (p = 0.036) and anion gap (p = 0.047) were also higher in the BA group
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
20 g/day for 7 days
Beta-Alanine→Increased Lactate Level
Lactate (p = 0.036) and anion gap (p = 0.047) were also higher in the BA group
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
20 g/day for 7 days
Beta-Alanine→Reduced Anion Gap
anion gap (p = 0.047) were also higher in the BA group
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
20 g/day of sustained-release β-alanine for 7 days
Beta-Alanine→Reduced Bicarbonate Level
without differences in pH or Bicarbonate
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
20 g/day of sustained-release β-alanine for 7 days
Beta-Alanine→Reduced Cadence
without differences in cadence (p = 0.506)
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
20 g/day of sustained-release β-alanine for 7 days
Beta-Alanine→Reduced Faecal pH
without differences in pH or Bicarbonate
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
20 g/day of sustained-release β-alanine for 7 days
Beta-Alanine→Reduced Lactate Level
Lactate (p = 0.036) and anion gap (p = 0.047) were also higher in the BA group
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
20 g/day of sustained-release β-alanine for 7 days
Beta-Alanine→Reduced Perceived Exertion
RPE [not significantly different]
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
20 g/day of sustained-release β-alanine for 7 days

Adverse Events Reported

Beta-Alanine→Overall tolerability
High daily and single doses were well tolerated.
Finding
Reported
Beta-Alanine→paresthesia
Anthropometry, paresthesia, and adverse event data were also collected.
Finding
Reported