Effects of 4 weeks of beta-alanine supplementation on aerobic fitness in water polo players

Author(s)

Pinheiro Brisola, Gabriel Motta ^{[1, 2]} ; Redkva, Paulo Eduardo ^{[1, 2]} ; Pessoa Filho, Dalton Muller ^[3] ; Papoti, Marcelo ^[4] ; Zagatto, Alessandro Moura ^{[1, 3]}

Affiliation

^[1] Sao Paulo State Univ, UNESP, Sch Sci, Dept Phys Educ, Lab Physiol & Sport Performance LA, Bauru - Brazil

^[2] Sao Paulo State Univ, UNESP, Postgrad Program Movement Sci, Bauru - Brazil

^[3] Sao Paulo State Univ, UNESP, Sch Sci, Dept Phys Educ, Bauru - Brazil

^[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Phys Educ & Sport Ribeirao Preto, Ribeirao Preto - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PLoS One; v. 13, n. 10 OCT 11 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the ergogenic effects of 4 weeks of beta-alanine supplementation on peak oxygen uptake ((V) over dot O-2peak) and force associated with (V) over dotO(2peak) (F(V) over dot O-2peak) during a tethered swimming graded exercise test, and a three-minute all-out effort (3min(ALL-OUT)) in water polo players. Twenty-two male national competitive level water polo players were randomly assigned to receive either 4 weeks of beta-alanine (n = 11) or a placebo (n = 11) (i.e., 4.8 g.day(-1) for 10 days, then6.4 g.day(-1) for 18 days, resulting in 163.2 g over 28 days). The participants performed the TSGET and 3min(ALL-OUT) before and after the supplementation period. There were no significant interaction effects between-groups for any variable, however, the magnitude-based inferences analyses showed a possibly beneficial effect (74%) of beta-alanine supplementation on F(V) over dot O-2peak compared to placebo treatment (Delta% {[}post-pre] for Placebo group = -5.2%; Delta% {[}post-pre] for beta-alanine group = +0.7%). Only the 13-alanine group presented a significant reduction in (V) over dot (O2pe)(ak) expressed in absolute values (PRE = 3.3 +/- 0.6L-min(-1); POST = 3.0 +/- 0.4L.min(-1); p= .021). Similarly, only the beta-alanine group presented a significant increase in critical force (PRE = 51.2 +/- 10.4N; POST = 56.5 +/- 13.1N; p = .044) and a reduction in the curvature constant parameter (W'; PRE = 2998.0 +/- 1103.7N.s; POST = 2224.6 +/- 1058.9N.s; p = .049). Thus, we can conclude that 4 weeks of beta-alanine supplementation presented mixed results in water polo players, indicating that this nutritional strategy may not be effective in improving parameters of the TSGET and 3min(ALL-OUT) . (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/03660-2 - Is the development of functional overreaching an efficient strategy to improve swim performance in water polo after the tapering period?
• Grantee: Gabriel Motta Pinheiro Brisola
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 14/02186-7 - The effects of beta-alanine supplements on anaerobic capacity and power, skill repeated efforts in water polo
• Grantee: Gabriel Motta Pinheiro Brisola
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master