beta-Alanine Supplementation's Improvement of High-Intensity Game Activities in Water Polo

Author(s)

Pinheiro Brisola, Gabriel Motta ^{[1, 2]} ; Malta, Elvis de Souza ^{[1, 2]} ; Pereira Santiago, Paulo Roberto ^[3] ; Palucci Vieira, Luiz Henrique ^[1] ; Zagatto, Alessandro Moura ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Sao Paulo State Univ Unesp, Dept Phys Educ, Postgrad Program Movement Sci, Bauru - Brazil

^[2] Sao Paulo State Univ Unesp, Dept Phys Educ, Lab Physiol & Sport Performance LAFIDE, Bauru - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Phys Educ & Sport, Lab Biomech & Motor Control, Ribeirao Preto - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SPORTS PHYSIOLOGY AND PERFORMANCE; v. 13, n. 9, p. 1208-1214, OCT 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 2

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate whether 4 wk of beta-alanine supplementation improves total distance covered, distance covered and time spent in different speed zones, and sprint numbers during a simulated water polo game. Design: Double-blind, parallel, and placebo controlled. A total of 11 male water polo players participated in the study, divided randomly into 2 homogeneous groups (placebo and beta-alanine). Methods: The participants performed a simulated water polo game before and after the supplementation period (4 wk). They received 4.8 g.d(-1) of dextrose or beta-alanine on the first 10 d and 6.4 g.d(-1) on the final 18 d. Results: Only the beta-alanine group presented a significant improvement in total sprint numbers compared with the presupplementation moment (PRE = 7.8 {[}5.2] arbitrary units {[}a.u.]; POST = 20.2 {[}7.8] a.u.; P = .002). Furthermore, beta-alanine supplementation presented a likely beneficial effect in improving total distance covered (83%) and total time spent (81%) in speed zone 4 (ie, speed >= 1.8 m.s(-1)). There was no significant interaction effect (group x time) for any variable. Conclusions: Four weeks of beta-alanine supplementation slightly improved sprint numbers and had a likely beneficial effect on improving distance covered and time spent in speed zone 4 in a simulated water polo game. (AU)

• 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