Effects of 4 weeks of β-alanine supplementation on aerobic fitness in water polo players

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the ergogenic effects of 4 weeks of β-alanine supplementation on peak oxygen uptake () and force associated with () during a tethered swimming graded exercise test, and a three-minute all-out effort (3minALL-OUT) in water polo players. Twenty-two male national competitive level water polo players were randomly assigned to receive either 4 weeks of β-alanine (n = 11) or a placebo (n = 11) (i.e., 4.8 g·day-1 for 10 days, then6.4 g·day-1 for 18 days, resulting in 163.2 g over 28 days). The participants performed the TSGET and 3minALL-OUT before and after the supplementation period. There were no significant interaction effects between-groups for any variable, however, the magnitude-based inferences analyses showed a possibly beneficial effect (74%) of β-alanine supplementation on compared to placebo treatment (Δ% [post–pre] for Placebo group = -5.2%; Δ% [post–pre] for β-alanine group = +0.7%). Only the β-alanine group presented a significant reduction in expressed in absolute values (PRE = 3.3±0.6L·min-1; POST = 3.0±0.4L·min-1; p = .021). Similarly, only the β-alanine group presented a significant increase in critical force (PRE = 51.2±10.4N; POST = 56.5±13.1N; p = .044) and a reduction in the curvature constant parameter (W'; PRE = 2998.0±1103.7N·s; POST = 2224.6±1058.9N·s; p = .049). Thus, we can conclude that 4 weeks of β-alanine supplementation presented mixed results in water polo players, indicating that this nutritional strategy may not be effective in improving parameters of the TSGET and 3minALL-OUT .

The Antioxidant Effect of Beta-Alanine or Carnosine Supplementation on Exercise-Induced Oxidative Stress: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Therefore, future studies are needed to verify (both in an acute and chronic settings) if the changes promoted, such as increased gene expression of enzymes from the endogenous antioxidant system induced by physical exercise [9] are mitigated in the presence of BA or carnosine supplementation, as it is observed in studies with chronic [7] or acute antioxidant supplementation [28]. Moreover, BA supplementation is a well-known ergogenic agent in anaerobic exercises, but not in endurance exercises [20,34]. For instance, early evidence in human studies suggest that BA supplementation delayed lactate production, but reduce aerobic capacity [21].…”

“…Therefore, it is necessary to systematize and meta-analyze studies with humans to evaluate the effectiveness of BA or carnosine supplementation as an antioxidant during PE-induced OS. If BA or carnosine is an efficient antioxidant, this results can shed light to the controversial results such as impairments in endurance physical capacity [19] and VO2máx [20,21] found in some endurance exercise studies.…”

The Antioxidant Effect of Beta-Alanine or Carnosine Supplementation on Exercise-Induced Oxidative Stress: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Therefore, future studies are needed to verify (both in an acute and chronic settings) if the changes promoted, such as increased gene expression of enzymes from the endogenous antioxidant system induced by physical exercise [24], are mitigated in the presence of BA or carnosine supplementation, as it is observed in studies with chronic [6] or acute antioxidant supplementation [17]. Moreover, BA supplementation is a well-known ergogenic agent in anaerobic exercises, but not in endurance exercises [25,26]. For instance, early evidence in human studies suggest that BA supplementation delayed lactate production, but reduce aerobic capacity [27].…”

The Antioxidant Effect of Beta-Alanine or Carnosine Supplementation on Exercise-Induced Oxidative Stress: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…in anaerobic exercises, but not in endurance exercises [20,34]. For instance, early evidence in human studies suggest that BA supplementation delayed lactate production, but reduce aerobic capacity [21].…”

“…Therefore, it is necessary to systematize and meta-analyze studies with humans to evaluate the effectiveness of BA or carnosine supplementation as an antioxidant during PE-induced OS. If BA or carnosine is an efficient antioxidant, this results can shed light to the controversial results such as impairments in endurance physical capacity [19] and VO 2 máx [20,21] found in some endurance exercise studies.…”