Does Beta-Alanine Supplementation Potentiate Muscle Performance Following 6 Weeks of Blood Flow Restriction or Traditional Resistance Training?

Kassiana DE Araujo Pessôa; Jason Michael Cholewa; Rayssa Sousasilva; Zhi Xia; Alessandro M Zagatto; Antonio Herbert Lancha-Jr; Jakob D Lauver; Fabrício Eduardo Rossi; Nelo Eidy Zanchi

Does Beta-Alanine Supplementation Potentiate Muscle Performance Following 6 Weeks of Blood Flow Restriction or Traditional Resistance Training?

Int J Exerc Sci. 2023 Aug 1;16(2):999-1011. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Health Sciences Post Graduate Program, Biological and Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís - MA, Brazil.
² Laboratory of Skeletal Muscle Biology and Human Strength Performance (LABFORCEH), Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA), São Luís - MA, Brazil.
³ University of Lynchburg, Lynchburg, VA, United States.
⁴ Exercise Physiology and Biochemistry Laboratory, College of Physical Education, Jinggangshan University, Ji'an, China.
⁵ Department of Sports Medicine, Chengdu Sport University, Chengdu, China.
⁶ São Paulo State University (UNESP), Department of Physical Education, Bauru, Brazil.
⁷ Laboratory of clinical investigation: experimental surgery, LIM26, Clinical Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo.
⁸ Department of Kinesiology, Coastal Carolina University, Conway, SC, USA.
⁹ Immunometabolism of Skeletal Muscle and Exercise Research Group, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Physical Education and Professor at Graduate Program in Movement Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Presidente Prudente-SP, Brazil.

PMID: 37650035
PMCID: PMC10464749

Abstract

We aimed to compare the effects of beta-alanine on Traditional Resistance Training (TRAD) or Blood Flow Restriction Training (BFR).

Methods: 19 subjects were randomly allocated to a Placebo (n = 10) or beta-alanine (n = 9) group. Subjects from both groups were trained unilaterally (unilateral arm curl) for six weeks, and each arm was trained using a different paradigm (BFR or TRAD). One repetition maximum (1RM) test measurements were performed before and after the strength training program. Work output was accessed as the total weight lifted (repetitions × weight lifted × sets) for the entire strength training program.

Results: 1RM or total weight lifted was not increased by beta-alanine supplementation. However, the TRAD-trained arm showed a significantly increased 1RM and total weight lifted compared to the BFR arm (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: We conclude that in the short-term (6 weeks) and following the current experimental conditions, beta-alanine does not benefit BFR or TRAD in terms of total weight lifted (volume of training) or maximal strength (1RM).

Keywords: Resistance training; performance; pre-workout.