β-alanine may benefit short duration, high-intensity exercise performance. The aim of this randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled study was to examine the effects of β-alanine supplementation on aspects of muscular performance in highly-trained cyclists. Sixteen highly-trained cyclists (mean±SD; age=24±7yr; mass=70±7kg; VO2max=67±4mL.kg-1•min-1) supplemented with either β-alanine (n=8, 65mg.kg-1BM) or a placebo (n=8, dextrose monohydrate) over four weeks. Pre- and post-supplementation cyclists performed: 1) a four-minute maximal cycling test to measure average power and 2) 30 reciprocal maximal isokinetic knee contractions at a fixed angular velocity of 180°•sec-1 to measure average power/repetition, total work done (TWD) and fatigue index (%). Blood pH, lactate (La-) and bicarbonate (HCO₃-) concentrations were measured pre- and post-isokinetic testing at baseline and following the supplementation period. β-alanine supplementation was 44% likely to increase average power output during the four-minute cycling time-trial when compared to the placebo, although this was not statistically significant (p=0.25). Isokinetic average power/repetition was significantly increased post-β-alanine supplementation compared to placebo (β-alanine: 6.8±9.9W, placebo: -4.3±9.5W, p=0.04, 85% likely benefit), while fatigue index was significantly reduced (p=0.03, 95% likely benefit). TWD was 89% likely to be improved following β-alanine supplementation, however this was not statistically significant (p=0.09). There were no significant differences in blood pH, lactate and HCO₃- between groups (p>0.05). Four weeks of β-alanine supplementation resulted in worthwhile changes in time-trial performance and short-duration muscular force production in highly-trained cyclists.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	Carnosine, Time-trial, Ergogenic, Supplement, Bicarbonate, Lactate
Research Division:	Health Sciences
Research Group:	Sports science and exercise
Research Field:	Exercise physiology
Objective Division:	Health
Objective Group:	Specific population health (excl. Indigenous health)
Objective Field:	Specific population health (excl. Indigenous health) not elsewhere classified
UTAS Author:	Howe, ST (Mr Sam Howe)
UTAS Author:	Bellinger, PM (Mr Phillip Bellinger)
UTAS Author:	Driller, MW (Dr Matthew Driller)
UTAS Author:	Shing, CM (Dr Cecilia Kitic)
UTAS Author:	Fell, JW (Associate Professor James Fell)
ID Code:	84034
Year Published:	2013
Web of Science® Times Cited:	24
Deposited By:	Health Sciences A
Deposited On:	2013-04-14
Last Modified:	2017-11-01
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