Effects of 28 days of beta-alanine and creatine monohydrate supplementation on aerobic power, ventilatory and lactate thresholds, and time to exhaustion

Amino Acids. 2007 Sep;33(3):505-10. doi: 10.1007/s00726-006-0399-6. Epub 2006 Sep 5.

Abstract

The effect of beta-alanine (beta-Ala) alone or in combination with creatine monohydrate (Cr) on aerobic exercise performance is unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of 4 weeks of beta-Ala and Cr supplementation on indices of endurance performance. Fifty-five men (24.5 +/- 5.3 yrs) participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study and randomly assigned to one of 4 groups; placebo (PL, n = 13), creatine (Cr, n = 12), beta-alanine (beta-Ala, n = 14), or beta-alanine plus creatine (CrBA, n = 16). Prior to and following supplementation, participants performed a graded exercise test on a cycle ergometer to determine VO(2peak), time to exhaustion (TTE), and power output, VO(2), and percent VO(2peak) associated with VT and LT. No significant group effects were found. However, within groups, a significant time effect was observed for CrBa on 5 of the 8 parameters measured. These data suggest that CrBA may potentially enhance endurance performance.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anaerobic Threshold / physiology*
  • Creatine* / administration & dosage
  • Creatine* / chemistry
  • Creatine* / pharmacology
  • Dietary Supplements*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Ergometry
  • Exercise Test
  • Exercise*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Muscle Fatigue*
  • Oxygen Consumption
  • Physical Endurance / drug effects*
  • Placebos
  • Task Performance and Analysis
  • beta-Alanine* / administration & dosage
  • beta-Alanine* / pharmacology

Substances

  • Placebos
  • beta-Alanine
  • Creatine