Minimal time for the ergogenic effects of Beta-alanine supplementation

• Grant number: 23/16704-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: October 01, 2024
• End date: April 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physical Education
• Principal Investigator: Bryan Saunders
• Grantee: Juliana Murasaki
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Beta-alanine is an aminoacid consistently explored as an ergogenic aid effective to improve anaerobic capacity in many sport modalities (mostly in cycle ergometer activities). Its ergogenicity is defined by its capacity to improve performance by delaying fatigue during exercise 30 seconds to 10 minutes in duration due to its intramuscular buffer function. Many studies show that 4 weeks of daily supplementation of 6,4g of Beta-alanine is needed in order to observe significant increases in muscular carnosine that result in important physiological benefits, namely improved exercise performance. However it is possible that this effect might begin before the end of those 4 weeks, which might be important for athletes since it could change the recommendations of this supplement. This project aims to verify the starting point of the ergogenic effect of the Beta-alanine supplementation on performance during cycle ergometry. Thirty-four physically active male participants aged between 18 - 40 years will be selected and evaluated weekly over 5 weeks. ²-alanine or placebo will be supplemented during 4 weeks and weekly physical capacity evaluations (CCT110%) will be conducted. Biopsies of the lateral vastus muscle will be performed before the physical tests on each week of supplementation in order to analyze the intramuscular content of carnosine (by HPLC). Variables will be analyzed using independent samples t-tests and mixed models with a significance level of p< 0.05.