Faculty of Health Sciences, Sports Physiology Department, UCAM Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Science-INEF, Department of Health and Human Performance, LFE Research Group, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
PLoS One. 2024 Sep 3;19(9):e0309404. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0309404. eCollection 2024.
Scientists and coaches seek effective ergogenic aids for performance improvement. Cyclists commonly use β-Alanine, which may enhance post-exercise recovery and physical performance. High-dose β-Alanine supplementation's impact on World Tour cyclists during a 7-day camp remains unstudied. This study aimed to analyse the effect of a high dose of β-alanine in World Tour cyclist during a 7-day camp. A double-blinded, randomised controlled trial was conducted. 11 cyclists were included in the final analysis: β-alanine supplementation (n = 5; VO2max: 67.6±1.6 ml/kg/min) and a placebo group (n = 6; VO2max: 68.0±2.4 ml/kg/min). The duration of the supplementation protocol was seven days with four daily intakes. The subjects commenced supplementation after the physical tests (immediately following the snack) and consumed the final intake after breakfast on the day of the final test (a total of 7 days and 3 additional doses, 31 servings in total; 5g per dosage; 155g the total cumulative amount). Before and after seven days of supplementation, the cyclists performed an uphill time trial. Blood lactate, heart rate and rating of perceived exertion were measured during test. β-alanine supplementation improved the relative mean power attained during the time-trial compared with the control group (Z = -2.008; p = 0.045; Δ = 0.060), as well as the time needed to complete this trial (Z = -2.373; p = 0.018). As for physiological and metabolic variables, no significant change was found. In conclusion, the present study supports the effectiveness of one-week high dose of β-alanine during a cycling training in World Tour cyclists to improve their uphill time-trial performance. In addition, it is important to highlight the potential role of β-alanine in improving recovery power. This aspect is particularly relevant in the context of a training camp, where fatigue levels can increase alongside training intensity. Trial registration: This study was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov: (identifier: NCT04427319).
科学家和教练都在寻找能够提高运动表现的有效促进剂。自行车运动员通常使用 β-丙氨酸，它可以促进运动后的恢复和身体表现。然而，高剂量 β-丙氨酸补充剂对参加为期 7 天训练营的世界巡回赛自行车运动员的影响尚未得到研究。本研究旨在分析高剂量 β-丙氨酸对参加为期 7 天训练营的世界巡回赛自行车运动员的影响。采用双盲、随机对照试验。最终分析纳入 11 名自行车运动员：β-丙氨酸补充组（n = 5；最大摄氧量：67.6±1.6 ml/kg/min）和安慰剂组（n = 6；最大摄氧量：68.0±2.4 ml/kg/min）。补充方案持续 7 天，每天 4 次。受试者在体能测试后开始补充（立即在零食后），并在最后一次测试的早餐后服用最后一次补充剂（共 7 天和 3 次额外剂量，共 31 份；每份 5g；总累积量 155g）。在补充 7 天前后，自行车运动员进行了上坡计时赛。在测试过程中测量了血乳酸、心率和感知用力程度。与对照组相比，β-丙氨酸补充组在计时赛中获得的相对平均功率提高（Z = -2.008；p = 0.045；Δ = 0.060），以及完成此试验所需的时间也减少（Z = -2.373；p = 0.018）。至于生理和代谢变量，没有发现显著变化。综上所述，本研究支持在世界巡回赛自行车运动员的自行车训练中使用一周高剂量的 β-丙氨酸来提高他们的上坡计时赛表现。此外，值得强调的是，β-丙氨酸在提高恢复能力方面的潜在作用。在训练营中，疲劳水平会随着训练强度的增加而增加，因此这方面尤为重要。试验注册：本研究在 ClinicalTrials.gov 注册：（标识符：NCT04427319）。
