Title

beta-Alanine ingestion increases muscle carnosine content and combat specific performance in soldiers

Authors

Authors

J. R. Hoffman; G. Landau; J. R. Stout; M. W. Hoffman; N. Shavit; P. Rosen; D. S. Moran; D. H. Fukuda; I. Shelef; E. Carmom;I. Ostfeld

Comments

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Abbreviated Journal Title

Amino Acids

Keywords

Histidine-related compounds; Amino acids; Exercise; Supplements; EXERCISE-INDUCED FATIGUE; LACKING HISTAMINE H1; COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE; PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE; SPRINT PERFORMANCE; HUMAN BRAIN; SUPPLEMENTATION; STRESS; CAPACITY; MICE; Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of beta-alanine (BA) ingestion on tissue carnosine levels and the impact such changes would have on combat specific activity. Eighteen soldiers (19.9 +/- A 0.8 year) from an elite combat unit were randomly assigned to either a BA or placebo (PL) group. Before and following a 30-day supplementation period carnosine content of the gastrocnemius muscle and brain was determined by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. During each testing session, participants performed military relevant tasks that included a 2.5 km run, a 1-min sprint, 50-m casualty carry, repeated 30-m sprints with target shooting, and a 2-min serial subtraction test (SST) to assess cognitive function under stressful conditions. A significant elevation (p = 0.048) in muscle carnosine content was noted in BA compared to PL. Changes in muscle carnosine content was correlated to changes in fatigue rate (r = 0.633, p = 0.06). No changes (p = 0.607) were observed in brain carnosine content. Following supplementation, no differences were noted in 2.5 km run, 1-min sprint, repeated sprint, or marksmanship performance, but participants in BA significantly (p = 0.044) improved their time for the 50-m casualty carry and increased their performance (p = 0.022) in the SST compared to PL. In summary, 30-days of BA ingestion can increase muscle carnosine content and improve aspects of military specific performance. Although cognitive performance was significantly greater in participants consuming BA compared to placebo, current study methods were unable to detect any change in brain carnosine levels, thus, the precise mechanism underlying these effects remains elusive.

Journal Title

Amino Acids

Volume

47

Issue/Number

3

Publication Date

1-1-2015

Document Type

Article

Language

English

First Page

627

Last Page

636

WOS Identifier

WOS:000349390700017

ISSN

0939-4451

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