Summary.
This study examined the effects of 28 days of β-alanine supplementation on the physical working capacity at fatigue threshold (PWCFT), ventilatory threshold (VT), maximal oxygen consumption (\(\dot{\rm V}\)O2-MAX), and time-to-exhaustion (TTE) in women. Twenty-two women (age ± SD 27.4 ± 6.1 yrs) participated and were randomly assigned to either the β-alanine (CarnoSyn™) or Placebo (PL) group. Before (pre) and after (post) the supplementation period, participants performed a continuous, incremental cycle ergometry test to exhaustion to determine the PWCFT, VT, \(\dot{\rm V}\)O2-MAX, and TTE. There was a 13.9, 12.6 and 2.5% increase (p < 0.05) in VT, PWCFT, and TTE, respectively, for the β-alanine group, with no changes in the PL (p > 0.05). There were no changes for \(\dot{\rm V}\)O2-MAX (p > 0.05) in either group. Results of this study indicate that β-alanine supplementation delays the onset of neuromuscular fatigue (PWCFT) and the ventilatory threshold (VT) at submaximal workloads, and increase in TTE during maximal cycle ergometry performance. However, β-alanine supplementation did not affect maximal aerobic power (\(\dot{\rm V}\)O2-MAX). In conclusion, β-alanine supplementation appears to improve submaximal cycle ergometry performance and TTE in young women, perhaps as a result of an increased buffering capacity due to elevated muscle carnosine concentrations.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
M Amann AW Subudhi J Walker P Eisenman B Shultz C Foster (2004) ArticleTitleAn evaluation of the predictive validity and reliability of ventilatory threshold Med Sci Sports Exerc 36 1716–1722 Occurrence Handle15595292 Occurrence Handle10.1249/01.MSS.0000142305.18543.34
R Bulbulian JW Jeong M Murphy (1996) ArticleTitleComparison of anaerobic components of the wingate and critical power tests in males and females Med Sci Sports Exerc 28 1336–1341 Occurrence Handle8897394 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByiD2M3ns1Q%3D
BC Clark SR Collier TM Manini LL Ploutz-Snyder (2005) ArticleTitleSex differences in muscle fatigability and activation patterns of the human quadriceps femoris Eur J Appl Physiol 94 196–206 Occurrence Handle15791418 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s00421-004-1293-0
JR Day HB Rossiter EM Coats A Skasick BJ Whipp (2003) ArticleTitleThe maximally attainable VO2 during exercise in humans: the peak vs. maximum issue J Appl Physiol 95 1901–1907 Occurrence Handle12857763 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3svnslGgtA%3D%3D
JA Dempsey HV Forster DM Ainsworth (1995) Regulation of hyperpnea, hyperventilation and respiratory muscle recruitment during exercise JA Dempsey AI Pack (Eds) Regulation of breathing, lung biology in health and disease Marcel Dekker New York 1065–1134
HA deVries T Moritani A Nagata K Magnussen (1982) ArticleTitleThe relation between critical power and neuromuscular fatigue as estimated from electromyographic data Ergonomics 25 783–791 Occurrence Handle7173165 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BiyD2sbitVY%3D
HA deVries MW Tichy TJ Housh KD Symth AM Tichy DJ Housh (1987) ArticleTitleA method for estimating physical working capacity at the fatigue threshold (PWCFT) Ergonomics 30 1195–1204 Occurrence Handle3691473 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BieD1c3msFc%3D
HA deVries GR Brodowicz LD Robertson MD Svoboda JS Schendel AM Tichy MW Tichy (1989) ArticleTitleEstimating physical working capacity and training changes in elderly at the fatigue threshold (PWCFT) Ergonomics 32 967–977 Occurrence Handle2806227 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:By%2BD3s3mtFI%3D
HA deVries TJ Housh GO Johnson SA Evans GD Tharp DJ Housh RA Hughes (1990) ArticleTitleFactors affecting the estimation of physical working capacity at the fatigue threshold Ergonomics 33 25–33 Occurrence Handle2335164 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:By%2BB2c3otlA%3D
RH Fitts JO Holloszy (1976) ArticleTitleLactate and contractile force in frog muscle during development of fatigue and recovery Am J Physiol 231 430–409 Occurrence Handle1085570 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaE28XltVKrs7Y%3D
JN Halal CY Guezennec F Goubel (1987) ArticleTitleThe aerobic-anaerobic transition: re-examination of the threshold concept including an electromyographic approach Eur J Appl Physiol 56 643–649 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF00424804
RC Harris DJ Marlin M Dunnett DH Snow E Hultman (1990) ArticleTitleMuscle buffering capacity & dipeptide content in the thoroughbred horse, greyhound dog & man Comp Biochem Physiol 97A 249–251 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0300-9629(90)90180-Z Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK3MXktVSi
RC Harris MJ Tallon M Dunnett L Boobis J Coakley HJ Kim JL Fallowfield CA Hill JA Wise (2006) ArticleTitleThe absorption of orally supplied β-alanine and its effect on muscle carnosine synthesis in human vastus lateralis Amino Acids 30 279–289 Occurrence Handle16554972 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s00726-006-0299-9 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28Xktlaksrk%3D
Hill CA, Harris RC, Kim HJ, Harris BD, Sale C, Boobis LH, Kim CK, Wise JA (2006) Influence of β-alanine supplementation on skeletal muscle carnosine concentrations and high intensity cycling capacity. Amino Acids [Epub ahead of print Jul 28]
TJ Housh HA deVries GO Johnson SA Evans GD Tharp DJ Housh RJ Hughes (1990) ArticleTitleThe effect of glycogen depletion and supercompensation on the physical working capacity at the fatigue threshold Eur J Appl Physiol 60 391–394 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF00713505 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:By%2BA3MnhtlM%3D
TJ Housh HA deVries GO Johnson SA Evans S McDowell (1991) ArticleTitleThe effect of ammonium chloride and sodium bicarbonate ingestion on the physical working capacity at the fatigue ghreshold Eur J Appl Physiol 62 189–192 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF00643740 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:By6B2MnpvV0%3D
E Kilbride P McLoughlin CG Gallagher HR Harty (2003) ArticleTitleDo gender differences exist in the ventilatory responses to progressive exercise in males and females of average fitness? Eur J Appl Physiol 89 595–602 Occurrence Handle12756573 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s00421-003-0853-z
HJ Kim CK Kim YW Lee RC Harris C Sale DB Harris JA Wise (2006) ArticleTitleThe effect of a supplement containing β-alanine on muscle carnosine synthesis and exercise capacity, during 12 wk combined endurance and weight training J Int Soc Sports Nutr 3 S9
T Matsumoto K Ito T Moritani (1990) ArticleTitleThe relationship between anaerobic threshold and electromyographic fatigue threshold in college women Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 63 1–5
DP McClaren H Gibson M Parry-Billings RHT Edwards (1989) ArticleTitleA review of metabolic and physiological factors in fatigue Exerc Sport Sci Rev 17 29–68
T Moritani T Takaishi T Matsumoto (1993) ArticleTitleDetermination of maximal power output at neuromuscular fatigue threshold J Appl Physiol 74 1729–1734 Occurrence Handle8514689 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByyB1MznsVQ%3D
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
JR Stout J Eckerson K Ebersole G Moore S Perry TJ Housh A Bull J Cramer A Batheja (2000) ArticleTitleEffect of creatine loading on neuromuscular fatigue threshold J Appl Physiol 88 109–112 Occurrence Handle10642369 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXhtlGgtLs%3D
Stout JR, Cramer JT, Mielke M, O’Kroy J, Torok D, Zoeller RF (2006) Effects of 28 days of beta-alanine and creatine monohydrate supplementation on the physical working capacity at neuromuscular fatigue threshold J Strength Cond Res 4 (in press)
Y Suzuki O Ito N Mukai H Takahashi K 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
K Svedahl BR MacIntosh (2003) ArticleTitleAnaerobic threshold: the concept and methods of measurement Can J Appl Physiol 28 299–323 Occurrence Handle12825337 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXjvVSjsrg%3D
AD Taylor R Bronks AL Bryant (1997) ArticleTitleThe relationship between electromyography and work intensity revisited: a brief review with references to lacticacidosis and hyperammonia Electromyogr Clin Neurophysiol 37 387–398 Occurrence Handle9402427 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK1c%2Fms1Snsg%3D%3D
JA Vogel JF Patton RP Mello WL Daniels (1986) ArticleTitleAn analysis of aerobic capacity in a large United States population J Appl Physiol 60 494–500 Occurrence Handle3949654 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BimC3sbmsVc%3D
JP Weir (2005) ArticleTitleQuantifying test-retest reliability using the intraclass correlation coefficient and the SEM J Strength Cond Res 19 231–240 Occurrence Handle15705040 Occurrence Handle10.1519/15184.1
Zoeller RF, Stout JR, O’Kroy JO, Torok D, Mielke M (2006) Effects of 28 days of beta-alanine and creatine monohydrate supplementation on aerobic power, ventilatory and lactate thresholds, and time to exhaustion. Amino Acids Sep 5 [Epub ahead of print]
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Stout, J., Cramer, J., Zoeller, R. et al. Effects of β-alanine supplementation on the onset of neuromuscular fatigue and ventilatory threshold in women. Amino Acids 32, 381–386 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-006-0474-z
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-006-0474-z