Beta-alanine Supplementation and High-intensity Interval Training (BEAST)

University of Exeter

Status: Completed

Conditions: Healthy

Treatments: Dietary Supplement: Beta-alanine; Dietary Supplement: Placebo

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03708185

180509/B/02

Details and patient eligibility

About

The present study will seek to quantify whether a period of HIIT alongside β-alanine supplementation will improve the adaptation to training, and therefore performance, more than a period of HIIT alone.

Full description

Whilst high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a powerful stimulus to increase endurance exercise performance, there are potential nutritional interventions that can be put in place to further increase performance gains.

Energy for the contraction of muscles is created in the mitochondria. HIIT can improve the function of mitochondria, therefore improving performance.

Β-alanine is a commonly used supplement that can improve exercise performance by increasing the amount of carnosine in muscle. Carnosine has many functions that may help improve exercise capacity.

The present study will seek to quantify whether a period of HIIT alongside β-alanine supplementation will improve the adaptation to training, and therefore performance, more than a period of HIIT alone.

Enrollment: 26 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 50 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Moderately trained (vo2max: 50 - 60 ml/kg/min).
• Females must be taking an oral contraceptive, or using a contraceptive implant.

Exclusion criteria

• A recent history of musculoskeletal injury
• Diagnosed cardiovascular or metabolic disease
• Regular use of beta-alanine supplements

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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26 participants in 2 patient groups

HIIT + beta-alanine

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will ingest an active supplement containing beta-alanine for a period of 12 weeks. During the last 8 weeks of that period, participants will take part in a structured program of high-intensity interval training.

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Beta-alanine

HIIT + placebo

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will ingest a placebo supplement containing no beta-alanine for a period of 12 weeks. During the last 8 weeks of that period, participants will take part in a structured program of high-intensity interval training.

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Placebo