Additive benefits of β-alanine supplementation and sprint-interval training
Open accessAbstract
PURPOSE: The present study investigated the effects of β-alanine supplementation only, and in combination with sprint-interval training (SIT), on training intensity, and energy provision and performance during exhaustive supramaximal-intensity cycling and a 4- and 10-km time trial (TT). METHODS: Fourteen trained cyclists (V˙O2max = 4.5 ± 0.6 L·min) participated in this placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Subjects performed a supramaximal cycling test to exhaustion (equivalent to 120% V˙O2max) and a 4- and 10-km TT and 4 × 1-km sprints at three time points: before and after 28 d of supplementation loading (6.4 g·d) with β-alanine (n = 7) or a placebo (n = 7), and after a 5-wk supervised, SIT program performed twice weekly (repeated 1-km cycling sprints) while maintaining supplementation with β-alanine (1.2 g·d) or a placebo. RESULTS: After the loading period, sprints 3 and 4 of the 4 × 1-km sprint intervals were improved with β-alanine supplementation (4.5% ± 3.4% and 7.0% ± 4.0%; P < 0.05, respectively). After 5 wk of SIT, training intensity increased in both groups but the change was greater with β-alanine supplementation (9.9% ± 5.0% vs 4.9% ± 5.0%; P = 0.04). β-alanine supplementation also improved supramaximal cycling time to exhaustion to a greater extent than placebo (14.9% ± 9.2% vs 9.0% ± 6.9%; P = 0.04), whereas 4- and 10-km TT performance improved to a similar magnitude in both groups. After SIT, β-alanine also increased anaerobic capacity (5.5% ± 4.2%; P = 0.04), whereas V˙O2peak increased similarly in each group (3.1% ± 2.9% vs 3.5% ± 2.9%; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that β-alanine supplementation enhances training intensity during SIT and provides additional benefits to exhaustive supramaximal cycling compared with SIT alone.
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There are data to suggest that β-alanine supplementation alongside training may, but not always, augment training adaptations over simply training alone.
“There are also data to suggest that β-alanine supplementation alongside training may, but not always [217], augment training adaptations over simply training alone [218].”
From Nutritional Considerations for the Vegan Athlete (2023) · cites this paper as [218]
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- Authors
- BELLINGER, P. M., & MINAHAN, C. L.
- Affiliations
- Griffith University (AU)
- Venue
- Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise
- Published
- 2016-12
- Volume
- 48
- Issue
- 12
- Pages
- 2417-2425
- ISSN
- 0195-9131 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2480830480
- Cited by
- 21
- References
- 42
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 3 · 2023: 2 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 2
- FWCI
- 1.07
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- hdl.handle.net
- Locations
- Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Griffith Research Online (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Biochemical effects in animals
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Muscle metabolism and nutrition
- Keywords
- beta-alanine supplementation, sprint interval training, time to exhaustion, anaerobic capacity, time trial performance, exercise intensity, cyclists, energy supply
- MeSH terms
- High-Intensity Interval Training, Adult, Bicycling, Carnosine, Double-Blind Method, Exercise Test, Humans, Male, Physical Endurance, beta-Alanine, Muscle, Skeletal, Dietary Supplements
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