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

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Beta-alanine
• Interventions: Dietary Supplement: beta alanine

• Registration Number: NCT05096793
• Lead Sponsor: University of Americas

Brief Summary

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

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.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2021-05-03
• Primary Completion: 2021-05-09
• Study Completion: 2021-08-31
• Status Verified: 2021-10
• Study First Submitted: 2021-10-04
• Study First Submitted QC: 2021-10-14
• Last Update Submitted: 2021-10-26
• Study First Posted: 2021-10-27
• Last Update Posted: 2021-11-03

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: Male
• Target Recruitment: 12

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

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Low doses	beta alanine	the distance in the 6-MRT compared to baseline
High doses	beta alanine	the distance in the 6-MRT compared to baseline
Control	beta alanine	the distance in the 6-MRT compared to baseline

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
6-minute race test (meters)	at the end of the 6 minute test	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.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Lactate	at the end of the 6 minute test	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.
Heart Rate	at the end of the 6 minute test	A heart rate monitor (Polar H10®) was used to measure HR, while the data was stored using the Polar Beat® application.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Uamericas; 🇨🇱 Viña del Mar, Chile