HIGH-VELOCITY INTERMITTENT RUNNING: EFFECTS
OF BETA-ALANINE SUPPLEMENTATION
ABBIE E. SMITH-RYAN,1 DAVID H. FUKUDA,2 JEFFREY R. STOUT,3
1
Applied Physiology Laboratory, Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel
Hill, North Carolina; 2Department of Exercise Science, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska; 3Sport and Exercise Science
Program, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida; and 4Metabolic and Body Composition Laboratory, Department of
Health and Exercise Science, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma
ABSTRACT
Downloaded from http://journals.lww.com/nsca-jscr by BhDMf5ePHKav1zEoum1tQfN4a+kJLhEZgbsIHo4XMi0hCywCX1AWnYQp/IlQrHD3i3D0OdRyi7TvSFl4Cf3VC4/OAVpDDa8K2+Ya6H515kE= on 01/19/2022
Smith-Ryan, AE, Fukuda, DH, Stout, JR, and Kendall, KL. High-
velocity intermittent running: effects of beta-alanine supplementa-
tion. J Strength Cond Res 26(10): 2798–2805, 2012—The use
of b-alanine in sport is widespread. However, the effects across
all sport activities are inconclusive. The purpose of this study
was to evaluate the effects of b-alanine supplementation on
high-intensity running performance and critical velocity (CV) and
anaerobic running capacity (ARC). Fifty recreationally trained men
were randomly assigned, in a double-blind fashion, to a b-alanine
group (BA, 2 3 800 mg tablets, 3 times daily; CarnoSyn; n = 26)
or placebo group (PL, 2 3 800 mg maltodextrin tablets, 3 times
daily; n = 24). A graded exercise test (GXT) was performed to
establish peak velocity (PV). Three high-speed runs to exhaustion
were performed at 110, 100, and 90% of PV, with 15 minutes of
rest between bouts. The distances achieved were plotted over the
time to exhaustion (TTE). Linear regression was used to determine
the slope (CV) and y-intercept (ARC) of these relationships to
assess aerobic and anaerobic performances, respectively. There
were no significant treatment effects (p . 0.05) on CV or ARC for
either men or women. Additionally, no TTE effects were evident
for bouts at 90–110%PV lasting 1.95–5.06 minutes.
There seems to be no ergogenic effect of b-alanine supplemen-
tation on CV, ARC, or high-intensity running lasting approximately
2–5 minutes in either men or women in the current study.
KEY WORDS critical velocity, anaerobic running capacity,
ergogenic aid, sex, supplement
INTRODUCTION
S
everal studies have suggested that muscle carnosine
content may be an important variable to consider
when evaluating high-intensity performance
(10,18,47,48). Although carnosine is synthesized
Address correspondence to Abbie E. Smith-Ryan, abbiesmith@unc.edu
26(10)/2798–2805
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
Ó 2012 National Strength and Conditioning Association
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2798 Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
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AND KRISTINA L. KENDALL4
in the muscle from its 2 constituents, b-alanine and histidine
(4), synthesis is limited by the availability of b-alanine
(11,17). Beta-alanine supplementation has been shown to
significantly increase the intramuscular carnosine content
(3,10,18,46). Elevation of intramuscular carnosine content
via b-alanine supplementation has been shown to improve
performance limited by acidosis (i.e., short intense exercise).
Hill et al. (18) demonstrated a 13% improvement in total
work done after 4 weeks of b-alanine supplementation and
an additional 3.2% increase after 10 weeks. Zoeller et al. (52)
also reported significant increases in ventilatory threshold
(VT) in a sample of untrained men after supplementing with
b-alanine (3.2 g$d21) for 28 days. In agreement, Kim et al.
(32) also reported significant increases in VT and time to
exhaustion (TTE) in highly trained male cyclists after
12 weeks of b-alanine (4.8 g$d21) supplementation and
training. However, more recently, an ergogenic effect of
b-alanine has been less clear, demonstrating no effect on
supramaximal sprinting (26), repeated sprint performance
(40), 400-m running (10), and the onset of blood lactate (28).
An increased muscle buffering capacity should be potentially
advantageous under multiple bouts of high-intensity exer-
cise, with short rest intervals (6,7), and therefore, b-alanine
should potentially improve running capacity.
The critical velocity (CV) test is the running-based
analogue of the original critical power (CP) concept
proposed by Monod and Scherrer (34). The CP test was
developed to identify aerobic power and anaerobic energy
reserves using a hyperbolic relationship between power
output and TTE. Ettema (12) proposed calculating a linear
relationship between the distance run (d lim) and the
TTE (Tlim) expressed as follows: d lim = (CV 3 Tlim) +
anaerobic running capacity (ARC), where CV is the slope of
the regressed line between d lim and Tlim and the y-inter-
cept represents ARC. The CV test involves a series of runs to
exhaustion at different velocities to determine the time-ve-
locity relationship, thereby mathematically providing an aer-
obic and anaerobic measure of performance with little
equipment. This concept was applied to running, theoreti-
cally representing the maximal running velocity that can be
maintained for an extended period of time without fatigue

(CV). In contrast, the ARC is the distance that can be run at
a maximal velocity using only anaerobic energy stores within
the muscle (19,23–25,37). This dlim-Tlim relationship can
therefore be used to determine performance over varying
intensities and distances and used to predict both aerobic
power (CV) and anaerobic capacity (ARC).
Although the CV test is typically completed under
laboratory-based constraints, it can conform to some sport-
specific settings and can be used by coaches with minimal
equipment (i.e., stopwatch). More so, CV represents a veloc-
ity corresponding to an upper sustainable limit during
running and has been associated with an increase in
bicarbonate buffering and a drop in pH (19) and has been
suggested as an appropriate training intensity to induce met-
abolic adaptations. Although there is some question regard-
ing the validity of the CV test to accurately predict
a sustainable (60 minutes) velocity, there seems to be no
difference between the velocities at CV compared with
V̇ O2max (23,37,42). Additionally, the anaerobic component
seems to be associated with maximal lactate concentrations
and maximal accumulated oxygen deficit during exercise
(19,24), supporting both aerobic and anaerobic outcomes
of the test. Of additional practicality, the CV test has pre-
viously been shown to detect changes in training and sup-
plementation (14,15,42). So, while the majority of research
evaluating the effect of b-alanine occurs on laboratory-based
measures, the CV test can be repeated by the strength coach
and can be generalizable to a sport-specific setting.
The CV test uses a series of high-intensity running trials,
interspersed with short rest periods, with each subsequent
trial resulting in diminished stores of adenosine triphosphate
(ATP), phosphocreatine (PCr), and glycogenic substrates
and a subsequent accumulation of metabolites [adenosine
diphosphate (ADP), inorganic phosphate (Pi), hydrogen ions
(H+), and magnesium (Mg+)], each of which may contribute
to fatigue (1,38). The acute metabolic response is believed to
be the driving force behind the fundamental chronic adap-
tations reported with the use of intervals, leading to an
enhanced ability to delay the onset of acidosis (51). Similarly,
the use of b-alanine may enhance the buffering of H+, fur-
ther augmenting acute and chronic training adaptations.
However, no evidence exists on the effects of b-alanine
when delineated for aerobic and anaerobic energy demands,
as measured by CV and ARC using the running-based CV
TABLE 1. Descriptive and baseline fitness demographics for men and women at
baseline testing.
Age (y) Height (cm) Weight (kg) V̇ O2max (l$min21)
Men (n = 26) 22.0 6 3.3 177.8 6 5.5 79.0 6 9.7
Women (n = 24) 21.7 6 2.1 165.0 6 5.4 61.9 6 6.4
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test. The majority of the b-alanine literature suggests an
ergogenic effect in activities limited by acidosis, generally
ranging from 2 to 4 minutes. However, to date, there is no
definitive data across mode, duration, and intensity support-
ing the use of b-alanine as an ergogenic aid in either aerobic
or anaerobic environment. More so, the sport-specific data
are lacking. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to eval-
uate the effects of 28 days of b-alanine supplementation
on aerobic and anaerobic running performances and high-
intensity running TTE. Secondarily, both sexes were
included to aid in more conclusive evidence for men and
strengthening the small existing body of evidence in women.
It was hypothesized that ARC and high-intensity run per-
formance would be improved with supplementation.
METHODS
Experimental Approach to the Problem
Using a randomized, double-blind placebo controlled design,
the effects of b-alanine loading on aerobic (CV) and anaer-
obic (ARC) running performances, TTE, and lactate levels
were evaluated. During pretesting, participants completed an
initial run to establish their maximal oxygen consumption
(V̇ O2max) and to determine the peak velocity (PV). Twenty-
four to 48 hours after the initial visit, participants were taken
through a series of 3 runs to exhaustion at 100%PV, 90%PV,
and 110%PV with 15 minutes of rest between each bout to
determine CV and ARC. Capillary lactate samples were
taken at baseline, immediately after each run, and 15 minutes
after run. Participants were then randomly assigned to a b-
alanine (BA) or placebo (PL) group and underwent a 28-day
loading period. After 28 days of supplementation, partici-
pants returned to the laboratory for posttesting, which in-
cluded the same runs to exhaustion at identical velocities as
pretesting. Previous research has failed to show improve-
ments in sprint performance and repeated sprints. To date,
the CV test has been used as an effective and sensitive
method to assess changes after various supplementation pro-
tocols. The use of b-alanine on CV and ARC has not yet
been evaluated.
Subjects
Fifty recreationally active (1–5 h$wk21) men and women
volunteered to participate in this investigation (Table 1).
According to the American College of Sports Medicine,
both male and female partici-
pants ranked above the 70th
percentile for maximal oxygen
consumption values, yielding
above average fitness levels
for this age group. All subjects
completed a health history
3.9 6 0.5
2.6 6 0.3 questionnaire containing a brief
survey to quantify each partic-
ipant’s physical activity and
supplementation status. None
VOLUME 26 | NUMBER 10 | OCTOBER 2012 | 2799
 Beta-alanine and Critical Velocity

of the participants reported any current or ongoing muscu- set at 10 km$h21 at a 0% grade and increased 2 km$h21
loskeletal injury at the time of initiation. Participants were every 2 minutes up to 16 km$h21, followed by 1 km$h21
asked to refrain from caffeine before testing weeks. All par- increments per minute up to 18 km$h21. The gradient then
ticipants were moderately trained, engaging in 3–7 days per increased by 2% each minute until V̇ O2max was achieved,
week of aerobic, resistance, or recreational activities. All pro- and the speed corresponding to the end of the test was
cedures were approved by the University’s Institutional considered PV. This speed was used to establish individual
Review Board for Human Subjects, and all subjects com- running velocities for the CV test.
pleted a written informed consent.
Critical Velocity and Anaerobic Running Capacity. To determine
Randomization and Supplementation
CV and ARC, the linear total distance (TD) model described
Using a computer-generated allocation system, participants
and evaluated by Florence and Weir et al. (13) was used:
were randomly assigned to a placebo (PL; 800 mg per tablet
of maltodextrin; 2 tablets 3 times daily) or b-alanine supple- TD ¼ ARC þ CV$t ;
menting group (800 mg per tablet; 2 tablets 3 times daily;
CarnoSyn; Natural Alternatives Inc., San Marcos, CA, USA). where the total distance achieved during each run to
Supplements were identical in appearance and taste and exhaustion (TD; y-axis) was plotted over the TTE (t; x-axis),
were blinded by the donating company for separate sexes and linear regression was used to calculate the y-intercept
to maintain equal groups. Participants were instructed to (ARC) and the slope (CV) of the line of best fit.
consume 2 tablets orally with water, 3 times daily, allowing Three treadmill runs to exhaustion were performed to
a minimum of 2 hours between consumptions. Product establish the distance-time relationships for the TD model
intake, compliance, and adverse effects were assessed mid- for each subject. Each participant ran at velocities equivalent
way through, and at posttesting, from dosing logs. To ensure to 110, 90, and 100% of the treadmill velocity (in kilometers
that subjects ingested their assigned supplement, participants per hour) at which V̇ O2max (PV) occurred. A minimum of
were required to return the supplement bottle to the inves- 15 minutes was allotted between trials to allow heart rate to
tigators at posttesting to be counted. Furthermore, dietary return within 610 b$min21 of resting. Time to exhaustion
intake was assessed using 3-day diaries during the first and (in seconds), Tlim90%, Tlim100%, Tlim110%, respectively,
final week of the study. Partic-
ipants were encouraged to re-
port any symptoms or adverse
effects. Five participants
reported mild symptoms of
paresthesia. Of those 5, only 2
were taking the active supple-
ment. All subjects were main-
tained for analysis. Throughout
the duration of the study, par-
ticipants were asked to main-
tain their physical activity
regime. Dietary food logs were
distributed to all participants
and completed (2 nonconsecu-
tive weekdays and 1 weekend
day) at pre- and posttesting to
evaluate any changes in total
calories and protein intake.
Procedures
Determination of Peak Velocity.
All participants performed
a graded exercise test (GXT)
to volitional exhaustion on
a treadmill (Woodway Pro
Series, Waukesha, WI, USA) Figure 1. Mean percent change scores 6 95% confidence intervals from pre- to posttesting for runs to
exhaustion at 110, 90, 100% and for critical velocity (CV) and anaerobic running capacity (ARC) for men (A) and
to determine PV. Based on the women (B) in the b-alanine (BA; black) and placebo groups (PL; gray). *Indicates a significant difference from pre-
protocol of Peake et al. (36), to posttesting.
the initial GXT velocity was
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TABLE 2. Mean 6 SD for peak velocity, time to exhaustion runs, CV, and ARC.*

Tlim110% (s) Tlim90% (s)

Peak velocity (km$h21) Pretesting Posttesting Pretesting Posttesting

BA men 16.6 6 0.8 143.9 6 42.7 157.5 6 46.2† 318.4 6 87.1 317.0 6 85.7
PL men 16.5 6 1.3 120.0 6 32.1 132.1 6 29.0† 282.1 6 109.4 322.6 6 126.7
BA women 15.5 6 1.1 90.4 6 30.3 93.5 6 32.2 259.2 6 101.5 313.8 6 191.7
PL women 15.5 6 1.0 96.4 6 20.6 96.3 6 24.8 256.8 6 76.4 240.5 6 66.1

Tlim100% (s) CV (km$h21) ARC (km)

Pretesting Posttesting Pretesting Posttesting Pretesting Posttesting

BA men 199.4 6 101.9 185.6 6 38.9 12.0 6 2.9 11.7 6 1.7 0.24 6 0.14 0.27 6 0.10
PL men 151.4 6 38.0 173.7 6 51.0 11.9 6 2.5 12.1 6 2.2 0.20 6 0.07 0.22 6 0.08
BA women 128.2 6 33.1 146.2 6 50.7 11.6 6 2.5 12.3 6 1.2 0.14 6 0.06 0.13 6 0.04
PL women 129.1 6 24.5 125.8 6 26.3 11.9 6 2.9 11.7 6 0.2 0.13 6 0.03 0.27 6 0.10

*CV = critical velocity; ARC = anaerobic running capacity; BA = b-alanine; PL = placebo.

†Significant difference from pre- to posttesting (p , 0.05).

and distance achieved (in kilometers) were recorded for each using PASW version 18.0 (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).
run. Intensities were run in a standardized order, 110, 90, and Percentage change scores were also calculated for each par-
100%, and at a similar time of day, for all subjects, at both ticipant for Tlim90%, Tlim100%, and Tlim110%, CV and
pre- and posttestings. Total distance was calculated from the ARC. These percentage change scores were averaged, and
sum of the 3 work bouts for comparison between treatment 95% confidence intervals were constructed around the mean
groups. Test-retest reliability for CV and ARC from
the authors’ laboratory for college-aged men and women
(n = 28) measured 1 week apart resulted in an intraclass
correlation (ICC) of 0.97 and SEM of 0.76 km$h21 (CV)
and an ICC of 0.74 and SEM of 0.33 km (ARC).

Lactate Measurements. A capillary blood sample was obtained

from the finger and analyzed for lactate with the Lactate
Plus Meter (Nova Biomedical Corp., Waltham, MA, USA).
Lactate samples were taken immediately post (IP) each of
the 3 runs to exhaustion, IP Tlim110%, IP Tlim90%, and IP
Tlim100%, respectively, during the CV test.

Statistical Analyses
Separate 2-way mixed-factorial analyses of variance
(ANOVAs) (2 3 2; time [pre- vs. postsupplement] 3 treat-
ment [placebo vs. b-alanine]) were used to evaluate CV,
ARC, TTE performance data, and total distance in men
and women, respectively. Lactate values were analyzed using
a 3-way mixed-factorial ANOVA (3 3 2 3 2; bout [IP
Tlim110% 3 IP Tlim90% 3 IP Tlim100%] 3 time [pre-
vs. postsupplement] 3 treatment [placebo vs. b-alanine])
with analyses separated for sex. When appropriate, post Figure 2. Capillary lactate values are presented as mean 6 SD from
hoc analyses for the ANOVA models were performed using presupplementation (black) to postsupplementation (gray) for the b-alanine
(BA; square) and placebo groups (PL; circle) for men (A) and women (B).
lower-order ANOVAs and Bonferroni-corrected paired sam- IP Tlim110% values were significantly lower than Tlim90% and Tlim100%
ples t-tests. All statistical assumptions were met. An alpha (p , 0.01). * indicates a significantly lower value than Tlim90 or Tlim100.
level was set at p # 0.05, and all analyses were performed

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 Beta-alanine and Critical Velocity
Figure 3. Individual responses from pre- (black) to posttesting (gray) for men at Tlim110 (A), Tlim90 (B), and
Tlim100 (C) and for women (D, E, F, respectively) for the BA (circle) and PL groups (square). Values are mean 6 SD.
values (Figure 1). When the 95% confidence interval includes
zero, the mean percentage change score is not different from
zero, which can be interpreted as no statistical change. Inter-
vals were calculated and created in Microsoft Excel (Version
2007; Microsoft Corporation; The Microsoft Network, LLC,
Redmond, WA, USA).
RESULTS
Time to Exhaustion and Total Distance
Tlim110%. Time to exhaustion at 110%PV yielded no 2-way
interaction (time 3 treatment, p = 0.912) and no main effect
for treatment (p = 0.102), but there was a main effect for time
(p = 0.023) in men. Marginal means collapsed across treat-
ments indicate a significant increase from pre- to posttesting
at 110%PV for both groups (p = 0.023; Table 2). Confidence
intervals demonstrated no significant differences over time
or treatment (Figure 1A).
Time to exhaustion at 110%PV illustrated no 2-way
interaction (time 3 treatment, p = 0.630) and no main effect
for time (p = 0.651) or treatment (p = 0.693) in women
(Table 2). Confidence intervals display a significant increase
over time (Figure 1B).
Tlim90%. Time to exhaustion data illustrated no 2-way
interaction (time 3 treatment, p = 0.069) and no main effect
for time (p = 0.084) or treatment (p = 0.586) for men. Con-
fidence intervals displayed a significant increase over time for
the placebo group only (Figure 1A). Time to exhaustion
data illustrated no 2-way interaction (time 3 treatment,
p = 0.124) and no main effect for time (p = 0.399) or treat-
ment (p = 0.412) for women.
the
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Tlim100%. Time to exhaustion
data illustrated no 2-way
interaction (time 3 treatment,
p = 0.171) and no main effect
for time (p = 0.737) or treat-
ment (p = 0.189) for men. Con-
fidence intervals resulted in
a significant increase for the
PL group only (Figure 1A).
Time to exhaustion data
illustrated no 2-way interaction
(time 3 treatment, p = 0.069)
and no main effect for time
(p = 0.199) or treatment
(p = 0.483) for women. Confi-
dence intervals displayed a sig-
nificant increase for the BA
group only (Figure 1B).
Total Distance. There were no
significant differences in total
distance for either men (p =
0.258) or women (p = 0.117).
Critical Velocity
Critical Velocity (in Kilometers per Hour) and Anaerobic Running
Capacity. There were no 2-way interaction (time 3 treat-
ment, p = 0.522) and no main effect for time (p = 0.868)
or treatment (p = 0.959) for CV in men (Table 2). And
there were no significant 2-way interaction (time 3 treat-
ment, p = 0.716) and no main effect for time (p = 0.514) or
treatment (p = 0.163) for ARC in men (Table 2).
There were no 2-way interaction (time 3 treatment,
p = 0.173) and no main effect for time (p = 0.494) or treat-
ment (p = 0.782) for CV in women (Table 2). And there
were no significant 2-way interaction (time 3 treatment,
p = 0.405) and no main effect for time (p = 0.914) or treat-
ment (p = 0.728) for ARC in women (Table 2).
Lactate. For men, there were no 3-way interaction (acute 3
chronic 3 treatment, p = 0.121) and no 2-way interaction
for chronic 3 treatment (p = 0.806) or acute 3 treatment
(p = 0.426). However, there was a significant interaction for
acute 3 chronic (p = 0.003; Figure 2A). The marginal means
for acute lactate levels (collapsed across chronic and treat-
ment) yielded significantly lower values for IP Tlim110%
compared with IP Tlim90% and IP Tlim100% (p , 0.01),
with no differences between 100%PV and 90%PV. Marginal
means (collapsed across acute and treatment) indicated no
difference from pre- to posttreatment (p = 0.510).
For women, there were no 3-way interaction (acute 3
chronic 3 treatment, p = 0.387); no 2-way interactions
for acute 3 chronic (p = 0.605), chronic 3 treatment
(p = 0.588), and acute 3 treatment (p = 0.846); and no main
effect for treatment (p = 0.871) and chronic (p = 0.076).
TM

However, there was a main effect for acute (p = 0.001; Figure
2B). The marginal means for acute lactate levels (collapsed
across chronic and treatment) demonstrated that IP 110%PV
lactate values were significantly lower than IP 90%PV and IP
100%PV (p , 0.01).
Dietary Analysis
There was no significant difference between groups for their
supplement compliance rate. Analyses of the dietary
recalls demonstrated no significant differences in caloric intake
(p = 0.391), carbohydrate (p = 0.783), protein (p = 0.158), or
fat (p = 0.402) intake from pre- to post-supplementation.
DISCUSSION
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of b-alanine
on aerobic (CV) and ARC while using an intermittent-based
running assessment to establish an environment limited by
acidosis. Neither CV nor ARC was improved with supple-
mentation for either sex. Also, there were no significant
improvements in TTE at Tlim90% to Tlim110%. Tests lasting
between 2 and 4 minutes have been suggested to be limited
by acidosis and thereby ideal for displaying ergogenic effects
of b-alanine (2,18,39). It was hypothesized that TTE at
supramaximal speeds (110%PV) would be improved with
supplementation. With an average run time of 1.95 minutes,
it is apparent that this exhaustive bout would be limited by
metabolite accumulation. Additionally, average run time at
100% was 2.59 minutes, which would also highlight the ben-
efits of b-alanine supplementation by reducing H+ accumu-
lation. In contrast, there were no significant improvements
because of supplementation [Table 2; Figure 3 (individual
responses)]. These results are in line with the previous studies
demonstrating no change in 400-m running performance
(10), sprint endurance (26), and repeated sprints (26), all
within the ideal time environment to be improved with an
enhanced buffering capability. Whereas the current growing
body of b-alanine literature demonstrates some positive
effects on VT (47,52), TTE (18,45), and training volume
(20), another consistent body of evidence demonstrates no
direct effect on performance (10,26,28,40,43,45,50) leading
researchers to investigate other mechanisms that may indi-
rectly affect performance and recovery. It has been suggested
that b-alanine may play a role in excitation-contraction cou-
pling (5), although no human data have been established.
More recently, it has been shown that b-alanine may have
an effect on reducing oxidative stress by reducing lipid per-
oxidation (44) and therefore have a role in recovery. The
current results suggest that there are no significant direct
effects of b-alanine supplementation on moderately fit men
(3.9 6 0.5 L$min21) and women (2.6 6 0.3 L$min21), on
aerobic or anaerobic running, or lactate levels.
It has been suggested that carnosine can contribute up to 7%
of total muscle buffer capacity during intense exercise, causing
an accumulation of H+. As described by Housh et al. (22),
the CV test involves a series of runs to exhaustion at various
supramaximal running velocities to determine the relationship
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between TTE and velocity. This interval-based test should be
sufficient to cause a drop in pH, calling upon bicarbonate
buffering. The CV test has been shown to be a valid measure
of aerobic (CV) and anaerobic (ARC) abilities in trained and
untrained men and women (30,41). In addition, the CV test is
reliable and sensitive to changes in performance with high-
intensity training or supplementation interventions
(14,16,27,30,35,41). However, we are not aware of any previ-
ous studies that have examined the influence of b-alanine on
CV performance. Only one study has evaluated running per-
formance, demonstrating no acute effects of BA consumption
(10). Conversely, several studies have evaluated the effective-
ness of BA on separate cycle ergometer aerobic capacity and
anaerobic strength measures (10,18,20,31,47–49,52). The use of
BA supplementation alone does not seem to improve aerobic
capacity or maximal strength, but when combined with train-
ing can be quite effective on both parameters (18,31,45,49), and
improving training volume and reducing feelings of fatigue
(20,43,44). In support, the current study revealed no significant
influence on CV or ARC, in either men or women (Table 2;
Figure 1). The lack of effect could be attributed to the large rest
time (15 minutes) allowing for metabolites to disperse between
running bouts. A protocol involving more intermittent bouts
with reduced rest time may benefit more from an enhanced
buffering. Additionally, despite the ease of administering the
CV test, the results are highly dependent on motivated sub-
jects, completing 3 all-out runs to exhaustion at intensities near
or above maximum. Therefore, motivation could have also
had an influence on the results. As illustrated in Figure 3, the
male placebo group improved more than the BA group at
Tlim90 and Tlim100. This could have been a result of moti-
vation or superfluous exercise over the 4-week supplementa-
tion period. Additionally, 95% confidence interval results from
the women yielded significantly greater results at Tlim100 for
the BA group (Figure 1B) providing evidence to support the
use of BA in women.
Hydrogen ions and lactate can be buffered and removed
intracellularly by proteins, dipeptides (such as carnosine),
and phosphate within the muscle, which represents the first
line of defense against acidosis and lactate accumulation (29).
According to Brooks (8), lactate production acts as a benefi-
cial metabolic H+ buffer for contracting muscle, facilitating
the removal of H+ from muscle fibers. Elevated muscle buff-
ering and lactate clearance mechanisms would allow the
muscle to produce lactate and protons before reaching lac-
tate threshold and pH limits (33). Lactate kinetics have been
evaluated in 4 previous studies (9,28,49,52) with 2 of those
under a running stimulus (9,28). Van Thienen et al. (49) failed
to show a significant change in lactate response after a final
30-second sprint following a 110-minute cycle ride. Similarly,
Derave et al. (9) demonstrated no increase in blood lactate
accumulation 90 and 180 seconds after a 400-m run. In con-
trast, Zoeller et al. (52) reported a significant increase in
power output at lactate threshold and Jordan et al. (28)
revealed a delay in the onset of blood lactate (OBLA) during
VOLUME 26 | NUMBER 10 | OCTOBER 2012 | 2803
 Beta-alanine and Critical Velocity
a treadmill GXT. The present study demonstrated a signifi-
cant decrease in blood lactate values after the first bout of
exercise (Tlim110%) following treatment and a significant
increase in lactate values IP Tlim90% and Tlim100% runs.
However, there were no significant differences between
treatments (Figure 2). Blood lactate may not be sensitive
enough to reflect an immediate change after exercise, and
the 15-minute rest time between bouts could have blunted
the lactate response and the need for enhanced buffering
capacity. More so, lactate measurements, although reliable,
do not directly reflect H+ accumulation. With appropriate
time and equipment, pH measurement would be a more
valuable measurement tool to evaluate the effectiveness of
b-alanine on muscle buffering capacity.
Although muscle carnosine concentration was not mea-
sured directly in this investigation, several studies have shown
significantly elevated carnosine levels (+60%) after 28 days of
b-alanine supplementation (17,18). Furthermore, the dosing
strategy was similar to that of Derave et al. (10) suggesting
that muscle carnosine levels were increased. The present study
used the time release formula at 4.8 g daily in divided doses
(CarnoSyn; Natural Alternatives Inc.) that has been demon-
strated to significantly augment muscle carnosine levels by
27–39% in fast- and slow-twitch muscle fibers, respectively
(3), under a similar dosing scenario. This study is further lim-
ited by the increases demonstrated in the placebo group after
4 weeks of supplementation, which could be attributed to
changes in exercise patterns, because the subjects were testing
in the Fall semester (right after summer break). Unfortunately,
this is beyond the control of the investigators.
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
This study is original in its approach to evaluate the effects
of b-alanine supplementation on intermittent running and
aerobic/anaerobic-derived parameters. The results fall in line
with the equivocal collective view on the current body of
b-alanine literature. To date, there have been no effects on
aerobic performance. Some data suggest an improvement in
anaerobic activities delimited by 2–4 minutes of exercise
(18,39) and anaerobic thresholds (45,49,52). Yet, other studies
demonstrate no change on sprint or intermittent sprint per-
formance. More so, several other performance studies have
failed to show significant ergogenic effects of b-alanine on
performance (10,20,21,28,44,50). The current study also did
not show significant improvements. It can be argued that
more sport-specific studies should be completed to establish
stronger guidelines for b-alanine use, and further investigations
are needed regarding other potential mechanisms b-alanine
may have in regard to muscle contraction, oxidative stress,
and recovery. Furthermore, the current study is one of few
(44,47) to include women in their evaluation. There seems
to be no difference in the responses between men and women.
As the current body of b-alanine research continues to grow, it
is advised that the strength coach and trainer follow the pub-
lished findings as they evolve. To date, with both positive and
the TM
2804 Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
Copyright © National Strength and Conditioning Association Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
Copyright © National Strength and Conditioning Association Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
negligible, but no harmful, effects reported, the use of b-alanine
may be applicable in individuals with low muscle carnosine
levels (vegetarians, older adults, women) and those individuals
with a naive muscle buffering capacity.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors thank Natural Alternatives Inc. for supplying
and blinding the active and placebo products. The results of
the present study do not constitute endorsement of the
product by the authors or the National Strength and
Conditioning Association.
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