Effects Of Β-Alanine Supplementation On Physical Performance, Cognition, Endocrine Function, And Inflammation During A 24 H Simulated Military Operation
Keywords
Carnosine; ergogenic aid; intracellular buffering capacity; sleep deprivation; soldiers
Abstract
Sustained military operations (SUSOPs) are associated with performance decrements and cognitive dysfunction. β-Alanine (BA) supplementation may have a role in increasing soldier resiliency by enhancing muscle-buffering capacity and reducing oxidative stress. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of BA on physical performance, cognition, endocrine function, and inflammation during a 24 h simulated SUSOP. Nineteen males were randomized into one of two groups: BA (n = 10) or placebo (n = 9; PLA) (12 g/day) for 14 days preceding the 24 h SUSOP. Assessments were performed at 0 h (0H), 12 h (12H), and 24 h (24H) during the SUSOP. No changes in visual tracking ability, jump power, or upper-body muscular endurance were observed between groups or time points (P's > 0.05). Increases in subjective feelings of soreness and fatigue were noted at 12H compared to 0H (P < 0.05) in PLA, but not in BA. Visual reaction time for PLA was slower at 24H compared to 0H (P = 0.035), and PLA made more errors on reaction time testing at 12H compared to BA (P = 0.048), but motor reaction time was faster (P = 0.016) for PLA. Simulated litter carry and 1 km run completion times increased at 24H compared to 0H in both groups (P < 0.05), however, PLA had a longer 1 km time compared to BA at 24H (P = 0.050). Increases in inflammatory and endocrine markers were observed over the SUSOP, with no differences between groups. BA supplementation appears to maintain some aspects of cognition and physical performance during a 24 h SUSOP, with no effects on endocrine function or inflammation.
Publication Date
12-1-2018
Publication Title
Physiological Reports
Volume
6
Issue
24
Document Type
Article
Personal Identifier
scopus
DOI Link
https://doi.org/10.14814/phy2.13938
Copyright Status
Unknown
Socpus ID
85058885462 (Scopus)
Source API URL
https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/85058885462
STARS Citation
Varanoske, Alyssa N.; Wells, Adam J.; Kozlowski, Gregory J.; Gepner, Yftach; and Frosti, Cheyanne L., "Effects Of Β-Alanine Supplementation On Physical Performance, Cognition, Endocrine Function, And Inflammation During A 24 H Simulated Military Operation" (2018). Scopus Export 2015-2019. 8394.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/scopus2015/8394