Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine the effect of β-alanine supplementation on repeated sprint performance during an intermittent exercise protocol designed to replicate games play. Sixteen elite and twenty non-elite game players performed the Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test (LIST) on two separate occasions. Trials were separated by 4 weeks of supplementation with either β-alanine (BA) or maltodextrin (MD). There was no deterioration in sprint times from Set 1 to Set 6 of the LIST in either group prior to supplementation (elite: P = 0.92; non-elite: P = 0.12). Neither BA nor MD supplementation affected sprint times. Blood lactate concentrations were elevated during exercise in both groups, with no effect of supplementation. β-Alanine supplementation did not significantly improve sprint performance during the LIST. Neither group showed a performance decrement prior to supplementation, which might have masked any benefit from increased muscle buffering capacity due to β-alanine supplementation.
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Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank National Alternatives International, San Marcos, California for providing the β-alanine (Carnosyn™) and Maltodextrin supplements. The results of the present investigation do not constitute endorsement by Amino Acids.
Conflict of interest
We declare that we received β-alanine and maltodextrin supplies from NAI to undertake this study, though no additional funding was provided. Roger Harris is an independent paid consultant of NAI, is named as an inventor on patents held by NAI, and is in receipt of other research grants awarded by NAI.
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Saunders, B., Sale, C., Harris, R.C. et al. Effect of beta-alanine supplementation on repeated sprint performance during the Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test. Amino Acids 43, 39–47 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-012-1268-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-012-1268-0