Effects of betaine supplementation, combined or not with creatine supplementation on maximal strength, power output and muscle phosphorylcreatine content in non-resistance trained subjects

Author(s)

Serena Menegassi Del Favero

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola de Educação Física e Esportes (EEFE/BT)
• Defense date: 2012-12-04

Examining board members

Bruno Gualano; André dos Santos Costa; Antonio Herbert Lancha Junior

• Advisor: Bruno Gualano

Abstract

Betaine is a trimethyl derivative of the amino acid glycine. The main physiological functions of betaine are to act as an organic osmolyte and as a donor of methyl radicals. It is speculated that betaine may contribute to the synthesis of creatine in skeletal muscle through the donation of a methyl group, resulting from the conversion of betaine to dimethylglycine, to homocysteine to form methionine. The effects of creatine supplementation on performance are well known and are related primarily to an increase in fosforilcreatina resynthesis (PCR). Authors of recent studies have attributed its positive results regarding the increase of muscle strength to a possible effect of betaine on the concentrations of PCR. However, this variable was not assessed, so that the mechanisms responsible for the increase in muscle strength coming from betaine supplementation in humans are still unexplored. In light of this, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of betaine supplementation combined or not with creatine supplementation on muscle PCR content, muscle strength and power output in non-resistance trained subjects. Additionally, we compared the ergogenic and physiological responses to betaine versus creatine supplementation. Finally, we also tested the possible additive effects of creatine and betaine supplementation. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted. Thirty and four subjects were assigned into four groups: Betaine (BET; 2 g/day), Creatine (CR; 20 g/day), Betaine + Creatine (BET + CR; 2 + 20 g/day) or Placebo (PL). At baseline (PRE) and after 10 days of supplementation (POST) body composition, food intake, muscle strength and power and muscle PCR were assessed. The CR and BET + CR groups presented greater increase in muscle PCR content than PL (p = 0.004 and p = 0.006, respectively). PCR content was comparable between BET versus PL (p = 0.78) and CR versus BET + CR (p = 0.99). CR and BET + CR presented greater muscle power output than PL in the squat exercise following supplementation (p = 0.003 and p = 0.041, respectively). Similarly, bench press average power was significantly greater for the CR-supplemented groups. CR and BET + CR groups also showed significant pre- to post-test increase in 1-RM squat and bench press (CR: p = 0.027 and p 0.0001; BET + CR: p = 0.03 and p 0.0001 for upper- and lower-body assessments, respectively). No significant differences for 1-RM strength and power were observed between BET versus PL and CR versus BET + CR. Body composition did not differ between the groups. Dietary intake was unchanged throughout the study. Thus, we concluded that betaine supplementation does not augment muscle PCR content and betaine supplementation combined or not with creatine supplementation does not affect strength and power performance in non-resistance trained subjects (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/13047-7 - Effect of betaine supplementation, combined or not with creatine, on strength and power performance and muscle creatine concentrations
• Grantee: Serena Menegassi Del Favero
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master