β‐Alanine Supplementation Improved Workload Capacity and Cognitive Function of Middle Age Individuals
Authors: Furst Taylor , Williams Brian , Massaro Alyssa , Miller Courtney , Horvath Peter J 
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND

Sarcopenia, the age induced wasting of skeletal muscle, has been seen to be tightly associated with significantly decreased systemic carnosine stores. β‐alanine supplementation has previously been shown to increase systemic carnosine concentrations in young adults. Increasing systemic carnosine may result in enhanced antioxidant and pH buffering capabilities within its main storage sites of skeletal muscle and brain tissue. This enhancement may result in improved submaximal endurance exercise capacity and in the prevention of exercise associated cognitive decline.

PURPOSE

To determine if β‐alanine supplementation of middle aged men and women will improve cognitive function and exercise endurance capacity.

METHODS

6 healthy, middle aged men and women (average age = 57.4±7.8y, VO2 peak=28.5±11.6 mL/(kg·min) and body fat = 22.1±11.8%) were randomized into a double blinded, parallel arm study. Subjects consumed either 2.4g/d of β‐alanine or Placebo for 28 days. Subjects recorded and replicated their diets for 24 hours prior to an endurance exercise bout on a cycle ergometer at 70% VO2 peak done at the same time of day for each exercise test. Cognitive function was measured via Stroop Tests 5 minutes before exercise (T1), immediately before exercise (T2), immediately following fatigue (T3), and 5 minutes after fatigue (T4). Lactate measures were also taken pre/post exercise. Heart rate, Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) and VO2 measures were taken throughout the test.

RESULTS

Before supplementation, average time‐to‐exhaustion (TTE) for the β‐alanine group and Placebo group was 17.3±10.2 and 22.9±10.2 minutes, respectively. After supplementation, all subjects increased their TTE; with β‐alanine supplemented subjects cycling significantly longer than those on Placebo (7.9±1.4 vs 0.9±2.5 minutes, respectively, P<0.01). Placebo subjects were 8.9±2.0 seconds slower in completing the Stroop Test at T4 compared to T3 (P=0.04), while the β‐alanine group (1.9±2.0 seconds, P=0.8) was not slower at this time point. Lactate, RPE, and heart rate were not different with supplementation in either group even though the β‐alanine group cycled longer.

CONCLUSION

Daily β‐alanine supplementation may increase systemic carnosine stores manifesting in an increased TTE during endurance exercise bouts as well as elimination of exercise induced cognitive declines seen post recovery. Despite subjects suffering from sarcopenia, no noticeable change in lactate production during exercise, coupled with an increased average TTE, indicates reduced physiological responses to exercise with β‐alanine supplementation. These effects may be beneficial for the aging population who are trying to remain active by providing a means to exercise longer. Furthermore, by countering exercise's accompanying cognitive deficits, the aging population can benefit from improved safety during everyday tasks.

Support or Funding Information

University at Buffalo Center of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (CURCA)