B Smilie

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Presentation

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Beta-Alanine, an ergogenic aid, is a nonessential amino acid that is naturally occurring in the human body that contributes to hydrogen buffering during high-intensity exercise (Hobson et al., 2012). High-intensity exercise causes an increase in the metabolite, lactate, or hydrogen ion concentration. This will then cause premature fatigue due to impaired contractile function. This buffering agent will be of use to athletes, fitness enthusiasts and bodybuilders looking to delay fatigue and increase performance. Active recovery was found to significantly reduce blood lactate concentration when compared to passive rest (Martin et al., 1998). PURPOSE: The purpose of this research study was to compare the effects of beta-alanine on exercise capacity and lactate levels using passive and active recovery between-training. METHODS: Nine resistance-trained males participated in the study and were randomly placed into two different groups. Four males were placed into the passive recovery group, (age 22.5 ± 0.5 years) and five males placed into the active recovery group (age 21.8 ± 1.9 years). Subjects performed three Wingate Anaerobic Tests (WAnT) with four minutes of rest in between each WAnT on two separate occasions. Two blood lactate samples were obtained each session, before and after. The lactate levels in the blood were determined using the Accusport Lactate Analyzer. Following baseline testing, each subject supplemented with beta-alanine three times a day for six-seven days and then the WAnT were repeated. Variables recorded by the Lode Cycle computer: Peak Power (PP), Fatigue Index (FI), and Relative Peak Power (PPr). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.0 for Windows. Separate 2 x 2 repeated measures ANOVA with one between subjects factor group (passive, active) and one within-subjects factor time (pre, post) was used to determine the effects of beta-alanine on the following dependent variables: change La, PP, FI, and PPr. Follow-up tests of significant ANOVA effects were compared using the Sidak post hoc test. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: The time (pre, post) effect for change in La was not significant F(1,7) = 0.44, p = 0.53. The interaction between time and method of recovery (passive, active) was not significant, F(1,7) = 0.28, p =0.61. The passive recovery group had an increase in La difference by an average of 1.4mmol/L compared to 0.16mmol/L in the active group. The time (pre, post) effect for change in peak power (PP) for all subjects combined was significant F(1,7) = 5.8, p = 0.047. The PP increased from1009 ± 165 W to 1073 ± 171 W between times. However, PP did not improve in the interaction between time and group significantly, F(1,7) = 0.45, p = 0.52. The time effect for change in fatigue index (FI) approached significance, F(1,7) = 3.8, p = 0.09. On the other hand, FI did not improve as the interaction between time and method of recovery was not important, F(1,7) = 1.1, p = 0.32. The time effect for the change in relative peak power (PPr) was nearly significant, F(1,7) = 5.4, p = 0.054. Lastly, no significance was found between time and group in the difference in PPr, F(1,7) = 0.46, p = 0.52. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that beta-alanine does improve anaerobic capacity, but with no difference between groups. Beta-alanine affected both groups equally.

Disciplines

Kinesiology | Life Sciences

Publication Date

1-1-2014

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