Vol 14, Issue 2

Beta-alanine Supplementation for Four Weeks Increases Volume Index and Reduces Perceived Effort of Resistance-trained Men: A Pilot Study.

February 15, 2021 - By 

Authors

Julio Benvenutti Bueno de Camargo, Methodist University of Piracicaba, Sao Paulo
Felipe Brigatto
Rafael Zaroni
Moises Germano
Raphael Conceicao
Alexandre Martins
Marcelo Aoki
Tiago Braz
Charles Lopes
International Journal of Exercise Science 14(2): 994-1003, 2021.
DOI: 10.70252/LRAM9186

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to assess the short-term effects of four weeks of beta-alanine supplementation (BA) (6.4 g/day) on the total volume performed and perceived effort of resistance-trained individuals. Sixteen trained men (age: 27.3 ± 5.0 years, height: 1.78 ± 0.1 cm, total body mass: 84.3 ± 8.4 kg, RT experience: 5.9 ± 3.3 years) were allocated in one of the following groups: BA or Placebo (PLA). In addition, during the same period, participants were submitted to a resistance training program. Volume index (VI) and the rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were collected during the experimental period for both groups. Significant increases from the first to the last intervention week in VI were observed only for BA (+6.5%, d = 0.61, p = 0.04). In addition, supplementation induced a lower mean RPE (BA: 8.8 ± 0.5 AU vs. PLA: 9.4 ± 0.3 AU, p = 0.02). In conclusion, four weeks of BA supplementation were able to increase resistance-training volume without affecting the perceived effort of trained men.

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