Skip to main content
Log in

Effects of 28 days of beta-alanine and creatine monohydrate supplementation on aerobic power, ventilatory and lactate thresholds, and time to exhaustion

  • Published:
Amino Acids Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary.

The effect of beta-alanine (β-Ala) alone or in combination with creatine monohydrate (Cr) on aerobic exercise performance is unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of 4 weeks of β-Ala and Cr supplementation on indices of endurance performance. Fifty-five men (24.5 ± 5.3 yrs) participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study and randomly assigned to one of 4 groups; placebo (PL, n = 13), creatine (Cr, n = 12), beta-alanine (β-Ala, n = 14), or beta-alanine plus creatine (CrBA, n = 16). Prior to and following supplementation, participants performed a graded exercise test on a cycle ergometer to determine VO2peak, time to exhaustion (TTE), and power output, VO2, and percent VO2peak associated with VT and LT. No significant group effects were found. However, within groups, a significant time effect was observed for CrBa on 5 of the 8 parameters measured. These data suggest that CrBA may potentially enhance endurance performance.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • PD Balsom K Soderlund B Sjodin B Ekblom (1995) ArticleTitleSkeletal muscle metabolism during short duration high-intensity exercise: influence of creatine supplementation Acta Physiol Scand 154 303–310 Occurrence Handle7572228 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2MXms1ens78%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • MA Batrukova AM Rubstov (1997) ArticleTitleHistidine-containing dipeptides as endogenous regulators of the activity of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca-release channels Biochim Biophys Acta 1324 142–150 Occurrence Handle9059507 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0005-2736(96)00216-7 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2sXpt1yhtQ%3D%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • G Begum A Cunliffe M Leveritt (2005) ArticleTitlePhysiological role of carnosine in contracting muscle Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab 15 493–514 Occurrence Handle16327029 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXhtFyiu7zO

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • A Boldyrev A Dupin AY Bunin M Babizhaev S Severin (1987) ArticleTitleThe antioxidative properties of carnosine, a natural histidine containing dipeptide Biochem Int 15 1105–1113 Occurrence Handle3326603 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaL1cXovVSgsQ%3D%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • CP Earnest PG Snell R Rodriguez AL Almada TL Mitchell (1996) ArticleTitleThe effect of creatine monohydrate supplementation on performance Am J Sports Med 24 S28–S29 Occurrence Handle10.1177/036354659602400106

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MA Febbraio TR Flanagan RJ Snow S Zhao MF Carey (1995) ArticleTitleEffect of creatine supplementation on intramuscular TCr, metabolism and performance during intermittent, supramaximal exercise in humans Acta Physiol Scand 155 387–395 Occurrence Handle8719258 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK28XitFChtg%3D%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • PL Greenhaff A Casey AH Short R Harris K Soderlund E Hultman (1993) ArticleTitleInfluence of oral creatine supplementation of muscle torque during repeated bouts of maximal voluntary exercise in man Clin Sci (Lond) 84 565–571 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK3sXkvFCgtrk%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harris RC (2005) Muscle carnosine elevation with supplementation and training, and the effects of elevation on exercise performance. Proceedings of International Society of Sports Nutrition, pp 39–40

  • RC Harris DJ Marlin M Dunnett DH Snow E Hultman (1990) ArticleTitleMuscle buffering capacity and dipeptide content in the thoroughbred horse, greyhound dog and man Comp Biochem Physiol A 97 249–251 Occurrence Handle1982938 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0300-9629(90)90180-Z Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK3M3ms1GktA%3D%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • RC Harris K Soderlund E Hultman (1992) ArticleTitleElevation of creatine in resting and exercised muscle of normal subjects by creatine supplementation Clin Sci 83 367–374 Occurrence Handle1327657 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK3sXlvVKjtQ%3D%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • RC Harris C Hill JA Wise (2003) ArticleTitleEffect of combined beta-alanine and creatine monohydrate supplementation on exercise performance Med Sci Sports Exerc 35 IssueIDSuppl 5 S218

    Google Scholar 

  • RC Harris CA Hill HJ Kim L Bobbis C Sale DB Harris JA Wise (2005) ArticleTitleBeta-alanine supplementation for 10 weeks significantly increased muscle carnosine levels FASEB J 19 A1125

    Google Scholar 

  • RC Harris CK Kim HJ Kim C Sale JA Wise (2006) ArticleTitleThe effect of a β-alanine supplement on the muscle carnosine content during training FASEB J 20 A483

    Google Scholar 

  • CA Hill RC Harris HJ Kim L Bobbis C Sale JA Wise (2005) ArticleTitleThe effect of beta-alanine and creatine monohydrate supplementation on muscle composition and exercise performance Med Sci Sports Exerc 37 IssueIDSuppl 5 S348 Occurrence Handle10.1097/00005768-200505001-01832

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • AR Hipkiss (2000) ArticleTitleCarnosine and protein carbonyl groups: a possible relationship Biochemistry (Mosc) 65 771–778 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXlvFOlsbw%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • AR Hipkiss J Michaelis P Syriss (1995) ArticleTitleNon-enzymatic glycosylation of the dipeptide L-carnosine, a potential anti-protein-cross-linking agent FEBS Lett 371 81–85 Occurrence Handle7664889 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0014-5793(95)00849-5 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2MXotFCltrw%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • E Hultman K Soderlund JA Timmons G Cedarblad P Greenhaff (1996) ArticleTitleMuscle creatine loading in men J Appl Physiol 81 232–237 Occurrence Handle8828669 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK28XkvFemtL0%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • AM Jones H Carter JSM Pringle IT Campbell (2002) ArticleTitleEffect of creatine supplementation on oxygen uptake kinetics during submaximal cycle exercise J Appl Physiol 92 2571–2577 Occurrence Handle12015375 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38Xks1aisrs%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • C Lamont DJ Miller (1992) ArticleTitleCalcium sensitizing action of carnosine and other endogenous imidazoles in chemically skinned striated muscle J Physiol 454 421–434 Occurrence Handle1474497 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK38Xks1Ogu7w%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • AG Nelson R Day EL Glickman-Weiss M Hegsted J Kokkonen B Sampson (2000) ArticleTitleCreatine supplementation alters the response to graded cycle ergometer test Eur J Appl Physiol 83 89–94 Occurrence Handle11072779 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s004210000244 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXmt1aiu7k%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • GW Orr HJ Green RL Hughson GW Bennett (1982) ArticleTitleA computer linear regression model to determine ventilatory anaerobic threshold J Appl Physiol 52 1349–1352 Occurrence Handle7096157 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:Bi2B3sfptF0%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • VB Petukhov NB Gusev AA Boldyrev (1976) ArticleTitleEffect of carnosine and anserine on excitation and contraction of fatigued skeletal muscle Ukr Biokhim Zh 48 469–476 Occurrence Handle136081 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaE28XlslWmtbk%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • MC Prevost AG Nelson GS Morris (1997) ArticleTitleCreatine supplementation enhances intermittent work performance Res Q Exerc Sport 68 233–240 Occurrence Handle9294877 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByiH2c%2FmsF0%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • SE Severin MV Kirzon TM Kaftanova (1953) ArticleTitleEffect of carnosine and anserine on action of isolated frog muscles Dokl Akad Nauk SSSR 91 691–694 Occurrence Handle13095299 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaG2cXnvFyr

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • MA Stroud D Holliman D Bell AL Green IA Macdonald PL Greenhaff (1994) ArticleTitleEffect of oral creatine supplementation on respiratory gas exchange and blood lactate accumulation during steady-state incremental treadmill exercise and recovery in man Clin Sci (Lond) 87 707–710 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2MXjsVWntbg%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Y Suzuki O Ito N Mukai H Takahashi Takamatsu (2002) ArticleTitleHigh level of skeletal muscle carnosine contributes to the latter half of exercise performance during 30-s maximal cycle ergometer sprinting Jpn J Physiol 52 199–205 Occurrence Handle12139778 Occurrence Handle10.2170/jjphysiol.52.199 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38Xmt1ait7o%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • A Weltman D Snead P Stein R Seip R Schurrer R Rutt J Weltman (1990) ArticleTitleReliability and validity of a continuous incremental treadmill protocol for the determination of lactate threshold, fixed blood lactate concentrations, and VO2max Int J Sports Med 11 26–32 Occurrence Handle2318561 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:By%2BB3c3hvFI%3D Occurrence Handle10.1055/s-2007-1024757

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Zoeller, R., Stout, J., O’Kroy, J. et al. Effects of 28 days of beta-alanine and creatine monohydrate supplementation on aerobic power, ventilatory and lactate thresholds, and time to exhaustion. Amino Acids 33, 505–510 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-006-0399-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-006-0399-6

Navigation