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Beta-Alanine Does Not Enhance the Effects of Resistance Training in Older Adults.

Journal of dietary supplements
November 2, 2018
Christopher H Bailey et al. (5 authors)
Journal ArticleRandomized Controlled TrialHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to determine if beta-alanine could enhance muscular endurance in elderly individuals undergoing endurance-based resistance training.

Results Summary

Beta-alanine showed no significant effects on anthropometrics, strength, or endurance measures compared to placebo. Resistance training alone improved 1RM leg press, mechanical power, and fatigue patterns, but beta-alanine provided no additional benefits.

Population

Elderly individuals aged 60-82 years.

Effective Dosage

3.2 g/day

Duration

12 weeks

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (13)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
beta-alanine
no change
anthropometric measures
27 participants (60-82 years of age)
p > .05
no significant group × time interactions
#1
beta-alanine
no change
strength measures
27 participants (60-82 years of age)
p > .05
no significant group × time interactions
#2
resistance training
increase
1RM leg press
resistance-training groups
p < .001
significant improvements
#3
beta-alanine
no change
1RM leg press
resistance-training groups
-
no significant between-group difference attributable to
#4
beta-alanine
no change
20-repetition chest press test
exercise versus control groups
-
no main effects of
#5
beta-alanine
no change
20-repetition leg press test
exercise versus control groups
-
no main effects of
#6
resistance training
increase
20-repetition chest press test
resistance-training groups
-
significant improvements in peak and average power
#7
resistance training
increase
20-repetition leg press test
resistance-training groups
-
significant improvements in peak and average power
#8
resistance training
increase
chest press
resistance-training groups
-
significant improvements in fatigue index
#9
beta-alanine
no change
-
27 participants (60-82 years of age)
-
had no effect on any measures
#10
endurance-based resistance training (ERT) program
increase
1RM
27 participants (60-82 years of age)
-
positively affected
#11
endurance-based resistance training (ERT) program
increase
mechanical power
27 participants (60-82 years of age)
-
positively affected
#12
endurance-based resistance training (ERT) program
increase
fatigue patterns during muscular endurance testing
27 participants (60-82 years of age)
-
positively affected
#13
Abstract

To investigate the potential of beta-alanine to increase muscular endurance of elder individuals in specific resistance-training protocols, we randomly assigned 27 participants (60-82 years of age) to a 12-week double-blind intervention using 3.2 g/day beta-alanine or placebo with or without resistance training to determine the effects on anthropometrics, muscular performance, and activities of daily living (ADL). The endurance-based resistance-training program (ERT) was given three times per week and included two sets of 15-25 repetitions on 11 computerized pneumatic machines (alternating upper and lower body) at an intensity of 50% of maximum lifting weight (1RM). Mixed design analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed no significant group × time interactions (p > .05) for any anthropometric or strength measures except 1RM leg press (p = .010). A post hoc analysis revealed significant improvements in 1RM leg press for both the resistance-training groups (p < .001) but no significant between-group difference attributable to beta-alanine. For the 20-repetition chest and leg press tests, no main effects of beta-alanine or group × time interactions for the exercise versus control groups were observed. Pairwise comparisons, however, did reveal significant improvements in peak and average power for both tests and fatigue index for the chest press in resistance-training groups. Although beta-alanine had no effect on any measures, the ERT program did positively affect three performance variables: 1RM, mechanical power, and fatigue patterns during muscular endurance testing. Future research should examine beta-alanine with different dosages and training programs to expand upon our findings using endurance-based resistance training.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Activities of Daily LivingAgedAged, 80 and overAnthropometryDietary SupplementsDouble-Blind MethodExerciseFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedMuscle StrengthMuscle, SkeletalPhysical EndurancePlacebosResistance TrainingWeight Liftingbeta-Alanine
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy20/10
Quality75/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations3
Citations/Year0.4
Relative Citation Ratio0.23
NIH Percentile11.6%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.25
Weight Score1.79
Normalized Score0.43
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