Effects of β-alanine supplementation and high-intensity interval training on endurance performance and body composition in men; a double-blind trial

• Published in: Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition Vol. 6; no. 1; p. 5
• Main Authors: Smith, Abbie E, Walter, Ashley A, Graef, Jennifer L, Kendall, Kristina L, Moon, Jordan R, Lockwood, Christopher M, Fukuda, David H, Beck, Travis W, Cramer, Joel T, Stout, Jeffrey R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BioMed Central 11.02.2009; BioMed Central Ltd; Taylor & Francis Ltd; Taylor & Francis Group
• Subjects: Adenosine; Alanine; Body composition; Clinical Nutrition; Double-blind studies; Exercise; Fatigue; Heart rate; Interval training; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Metabolism; Metabolites; Musculoskeletal system; Peptides; Physical fitness; Physiological aspects; Physiology; Research Article; Sports Medicine; United States; Carnosine; Muscle Carnosine; Lean Body Mass; Ventilatory Threshold; Carnosine Concentration
• ISSN: 1550-2783; 1550-2783
• DOI: 10.1186/1550-2783-6-5

Background Intermittent bouts of high-intensity exercise result in diminished stores of energy substrates, followed by an accumulation of metabolites, promoting chronic physiological adaptations. In addition, β-alanine has been accepted has an effective physiological hydrogen ion (H + ) buffer. Concurrent high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and β-alanine supplementation may result in greater adaptations than HIIT alone. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the effects of combining β-alanine supplementation with high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on endurance performance and aerobic metabolism in recreationally active college-aged men. Methods Forty-six men (Age: 22.2 ± 2.7 yrs; Ht: 178.1 ± 7.4 cm; Wt: 78.7 ± 11.9; VO 2 peak: 3.3 ± 0.59 l·min -1 ) were assessed for peak O 2 utilization (VO 2 peak), time to fatigue (VO 2TTE ), ventilatory threshold (VT), and total work done at 110% of pre-training VO 2 peak (TWD). In a double-blind fashion, all subjects were randomly assigned into one either a placebo (PL – 16.5 g dextrose powder per packet; n = 18) or β-alanine (BA – 1.5 g β-alanine plus 15 g dextrose powder per packet; n = 18) group. All subjects supplemented four times per day (total of 6 g/day) for the first 21-days, followed by two times per day (3 g/day) for the subsequent 21 days, and engaged in a total of six weeks of HIIT training consisting of 5–6 bouts of a 2:1 minute cycling work to rest ratio. Results Significant improvements in VO 2 peak, VO 2TTE , and TWD after three weeks of training were displayed (p < 0.05). Increases in VO 2 peak, VO 2TTE , TWD and lean body mass were only significant for the BA group after the second three weeks of training. Conclusion The use of HIIT to induce significant aerobic improvements is effective and efficient. Chronic BA supplementation may further enhance HIIT, improving endurance performance and lean body mass.