The Impact of Beta-Alanine Supplementation on the Repeated Sprint Ability Buffering Capacity and Performance in Young male soccer players

Subject Areas : Journal of Animal Biology

Ehsan Yosofalizade ¹ , Nahid Bijeh ² , Mahtab Moazzami ³

1 - Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
2 - Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
3 - Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

Received: 2023-11-24 Accepted : 2024-02-13 Published : 2024-03-05

Keywords: Fatigue, β‑alanine, Repeated sprint ability, lactate,

Abstract :

The main objective of this study was to determine the effect of beta-alanine (BA) supplementation on RSA, buffering capacity, and performance of young male football players. The statistical population of the research consisted of male footballers aged 17 to 19. Among this statistical population, 20 participants were randomly and purposefully selected as the sample. The participants were divided into two groups: control (10 n) and BA (10n). Blood lactate and HCO3 levels were measured at rest and immediately after the pre-test RSA (7 Se of maximal effort cycling and 23 Se of passive rest without cycling, repeated 12 times). Additionally, the mean peak power output (PPO) and average power output (APO) for each sprint in 12 repetitions were extracted using an ergometer. After the RSA post-test, BA group participants consumed 4.6 grams of BA, while control group participants consumed an equivalent amount of maltodextrin, four times a day for 28 days. All measurement steps were repeated for the RSA post-test. The diet of the participants was controlled and repeated two days before each test and again in the RSA post-test. The results were expressed as mean ± standard error of the mean. Descriptive statistics, Shapiro-Wilk test, repeated measures analysis of variance, Bonferroni post-hoc test, and independent t-test using SPSS/22 were used for statistical analysis of the data at a significance level of P≥0.05. It was shown that BA supplementation had a significant effect on the mean blood lactate levels of the participants but had no significant effect on blood bicarbonate levels, PPO, and APO of the sprints. Apart from lactate levels, BA supplementation had no further beneficial effect on repeated sprint performance in football players. With these findings, coaches and players may consider using BA supplementation to improve performance and reduce the negative effects of lactic acid.

 

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