Acute Supplementation With Beta-Alanine Improves Performance in Aerobic-anaerobic Transition Zones in Endurance Athletes

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The use of beta-alanine (BA) to increase physical performance is widely documented. However, the acute effect of this amino acid on maximal tests in the aerobic-anaerobic transition zone is still uncertain. The objective of this study was to determine the acute effect of low and high-dose BA trials on maximal aerobic speed (MAS) in endurance athletes. We hypothesized that high doses of BA have a greater effect than low doses, both compared to baseline. Twelve male endurance athletes volunteered for the study. The experimental design applied was randomized cross-over, double-blind. Treatment included three 6-minute run tests (6-MRT), the first as a baseline, then randomized 6-MRT with low (30 mg·kg-1) and high (45 mg·kg-1) dose BA trials. The 6-MRTs were separated by 72 hours. The main variable of the study was the distance (m) performed in the 6-MRT. Differences between tests were established through ANOVA and Tukey's multiple comparison tests (p < 0.05).

Detailed Description
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In this original research, we determined the acute effect of low (30 mg·kg-1) and high-dose (45 mg·kg-1) BA trials on maximal aerobic speed (MAS) in endurance athletes. At the same time, we compared the effect size with of BA.

Official Title
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Acute Supplementation With Beta-Alanine Improves Performance in Aerobic-anaerobic Transition Zones in Endurance Athletes

Conditions
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Beta-alanine

Intervention / Treatment
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* Dietary Supplement: beta alanine


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: The inclusion criterion was years of training for endurance events (participants had a minimum of two years running middle-distance and long-distance events). Exclusion Criteria: The exclusion criterion was the inability to perform the 6-minute run test

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 25 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Male

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Interventional Model Description: The experimental design applied was randomized cross-over and double-blind
Masking: Triple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Control<br>the distance in the 6-MRT compared to baseline | Dietary Supplement: beta alanine<br>* On day 1, all participants completed the 6-MRT corresponding to baseline. Then, on days 2 and 3, each participant performed the 6-MRT with 30 mg·kg-1 and 45 mg·kg-1 of BA (low and high-dose trials, respectively). BA was purchased in powder format from a factory specializing in sports supplements. BA was colorless when diluted in water and had a characteristic taste. This format of BA (powder) allowed personalized dosing for each participant. The research team performed the personalized dosing before the application of the treatment. Between the evaluation days, there was 72 hours difference. The 30 mg·kg-1 or 45 mg·kg-1 BA administration was done with a double-blind method. Thus, on day 2, 50% of the sample performed the 6-MRT supplemented with 30 mg·kg-1 BA, while the other 50% performed the 6-MRT with 45 mg·kg-1 BA. On day 3, those participants who completed the 6-MRT with 30 mg·kg-1 BA now performed with 45 mg·kg-1 BA and vice versa.<br>|
| Experimental: Low doses<br>the distance in the 6-MRT compared to baseline | Dietary Supplement: beta alanine<br>* On day 1, all participants completed the 6-MRT corresponding to baseline. Then, on days 2 and 3, each participant performed the 6-MRT with 30 mg·kg-1 and 45 mg·kg-1 of BA (low and high-dose trials, respectively). BA was purchased in powder format from a factory specializing in sports supplements. BA was colorless when diluted in water and had a characteristic taste. This format of BA (powder) allowed personalized dosing for each participant. The research team performed the personalized dosing before the application of the treatment. Between the evaluation days, there was 72 hours difference. The 30 mg·kg-1 or 45 mg·kg-1 BA administration was done with a double-blind method. Thus, on day 2, 50% of the sample performed the 6-MRT supplemented with 30 mg·kg-1 BA, while the other 50% performed the 6-MRT with 45 mg·kg-1 BA. On day 3, those participants who completed the 6-MRT with 30 mg·kg-1 BA now performed with 45 mg·kg-1 BA and vice versa.<br>|
| Experimental: High doses<br>the distance in the 6-MRT compared to baseline | Dietary Supplement: beta alanine<br>* On day 1, all participants completed the 6-MRT corresponding to baseline. Then, on days 2 and 3, each participant performed the 6-MRT with 30 mg·kg-1 and 45 mg·kg-1 of BA (low and high-dose trials, respectively). BA was purchased in powder format from a factory specializing in sports supplements. BA was colorless when diluted in water and had a characteristic taste. This format of BA (powder) allowed personalized dosing for each participant. The research team performed the personalized dosing before the application of the treatment. Between the evaluation days, there was 72 hours difference. The 30 mg·kg-1 or 45 mg·kg-1 BA administration was done with a double-blind method. Thus, on day 2, 50% of the sample performed the 6-MRT supplemented with 30 mg·kg-1 BA, while the other 50% performed the 6-MRT with 45 mg·kg-1 BA. On day 3, those participants who completed the 6-MRT with 30 mg·kg-1 BA now performed with 45 mg·kg-1 BA and vice versa.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 6-minute race test (meters) | The test was performed on an official 400 m athletic track simultaneously every measurement day (09:00 - 11:00 a.m.) and under similar climatic conditions (temperature = 16 - 18° C and relative humidity = 70 - 80%). Also, to simulate the reality of the competition, the 6-MRT was performed in subgroups of three participants. These subgroups were maintained throughout the intervention, modifying only the dose of BA ingested. | at the end of the 6 minute test | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Lactate | A lactometer (h/p/cosmos®) was used to measure capillary [La]. This lactometer generates an enzymatic-amperometric detection of lactate with an accuracy of ± 3% (minimum standard deviation of 0.2 mmol·L-1), sample volume 0.2 μL, and with a measurement range of 0.5-25.0 mmol·L-1. | at the end of the 6 minute test | 
| Heart Rate | A heart rate monitor (Polar H10®) was used to measure HR, while the data was stored using the Polar Beat® application. | at the end of the 6 minute test | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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beta-alanine, ergogenic aid, physical performance, aerobic-anaerobic transition zones, maximal aerobic speed