The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness 2020 Dec 11

DOI: 10.23736/S0022-4707.20.11946-7

Copyright © 2020 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Beta-alanine fails to improve on 5,000 m running time despite increasing PAT1 expression in long-distance runners

Gabriel S. FRANCO ^{1, 2} ✉, Natália Y. NORONHA ¹, Bruno A. OLIVEIRA ¹, Flávia C. FERREIRA ¹, Ana Paula PINTO ³, Camila F. BRANDAO ^{4, 5}, Marcelo PAPOTI ⁶, Carla B. NONINO ¹

¹ Nutrigenomics Studies Laboratory, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil; ² Departament of Nutrition, University of Franca, São Paulo, Brazil; ³ Exercise Physiology and Metabolism Laboratory, Ribeirão Preto School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil; ⁴ Nutrology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil; ⁵ State University of Minas Gerais, Divinópolis, Minas Gerais, Brazil; ⁶ Water Activities Laboratory, Ribeirão Preto School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil

BACKGROUND: Beta-alanine has become a dietary supplement widely used by athletes due to its ergogenic effect. However, there is still no consensus on the performance benefit of beta-alanine on exercise lasting longer than ten minutes. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of beta-alanine supplementation on running performance and the expression of TauT and PAT1.
METHODS: This double-blind, randomized study enrolled 16 long-distance runners (37 ± 8 years) who were randomly allocated to two groups: Placebo (PLA) and Beta-alanine (BA) (4.8 g·day-1) for four weeks. Maximal oxygen consumption, anthropometry, body composition, and food intake were determined. Before and after the intervention, the athletes undertook a 5,000 m running time trial. Venous blood (TauT and PAT1 expressions) and ear lobe capillary blood (lactate) collected before and after exercise. Between tests, we monitored the training variables.
RESULTS: The results were analyzed by T-tests and an ANOVA of repeated measures, with Sidak’s post hoc (p<0.05). PLA exhibited lower body fat than BA (8.7 ± 2.2 vs. 11.5 ± 2.8%, p=0.04). After supplementation, there was an increase in PAT1 expression in BA when compared to PLA (1.17 ± 0.47 vs. 0.77 ± 0.18, p=0.04). No significant differences were shown for the 5,000 m running time in PLA (PRE:1128 ± 72; POST:1123 ± 72s) and BA (PRE:1107 ± 95; POST:1093 ± 86s).
CONCLUSIONS: Although beta-alanine supplementation increased PAT1 expression, there was no statistically significant improvement in 5,000 m running performance. However, individual responses should be considered as the BA showed a higher delta than the PLA.

KEY WORDS: Athletic performance; Dietary supplements; Gene expression