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Effects of beta-alanine supplementation and interval training on physiological determinants of severe exercise performance

Gross, Micah ; Boesch, Chris ; Bolliger, Christine ; Norman, Barbara ; Gustafsson, Thomas ; Hoppeler, Hans ; Vogt, Michael

In: European Journal of Applied Physiology, 2014, vol. 114, no. 2, p. 221-234

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    Title
    • Effects of beta-alanine supplementation and interval training on physiological determinants of severe exercise performance
    Author
    • Gross, Micah. Institute for Anatomy, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 2, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
    • Boesch, Chris. Department of Clinical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
    • Bolliger, Christine. Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
    • Norman, Barbara. Division of Clinical Physiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
    • Gustafsson, Thomas. Division of Clinical Physiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
    • Hoppeler, Hans. Institute for Anatomy, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 2, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
    • Vogt, Michael. Institute for Anatomy, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 2, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
    Document Type
    • Postprint
    Language
    • English
    Published in
    • European Journal of Applied Physiology, 2014, vol. 114, no. 2, p. 221-234. Springer Berlin Heidelberg
    Other Version
    OAI-PMH Identifier
    • oai:doc.rero.ch:325323
    Summary
    Introduction: We aimed to manipulate physiological determinants of severe exercise performance. We hypothesized that (1) beta-alanine supplementation would increase intramuscular carnosine and buffering capacity and dampen acidosis during severe cycling, (2) that high-intensity interval training (HIT) would enhance aerobic energy contribution during severe cycling, and (3) that HIT preceded by beta-alanine supplementation would have greater benefits. Methods: Sixteen active men performed incremental cycling tests and 90-s severe (110% peak power) cycling tests at three time points: before and after oral supplementation with either beta-alanine or placebo, and after an 11-days HIT block (9 sessions, 4×4min), which followed supplementation. Carnosine was assessed via MR spectroscopy. Energy contribution during 90-s severe cycling was estimated from the O2 deficit. Biopsies from m. vastus lateralis were taken before and after the test. Results: Beta-alanine increased leg muscle carnosine (32±13%, d=3.1). Buffering capacity and incremental cycling were unaffected, but during 90-s severe cycling, beta-alanine increased aerobic energy contribution (1.4±1.3%, d=0.5), concurrent with reduced O2 deficit (−5.0±5.0%, d=0.6) and muscle lactate accumulation (−23±30%, d=0.9), while having no effect on pH. Beta-alanine also enhanced motivation and perceived state during the HIT block. There were no between-group differences in adaptations to the training block, namely increased buffering capacity (+7.9±11.9%, p=0.04, d=0.6, n=14) and glycogen storage (+30±47%, p=0.04, d=0.5, n=16). Conclusions: Beta-alanine did not affect buffering considerably, but has beneficial effects on severe exercise metabolism as well as psychological parameters during intense training phases.