Influence of beta-alanine supplementation on skeletal muscle carnosine concentrations and high intensity cycling capacity
Controlled trialHumansWith beta-alanine (carnosine precursor)
This study tested carnosine together with beta-alanine (carnosine precursor). Its results cannot be assigned to carnosine alone. More combination studies.
- Design
- Controlled trial
- Subjects
- 25 men (13 beta-alanine, 12 placebo); 8 of the supplemented group continued to 10 weeks
- Dose used in the study
- beta-alanine (CarnoSyn), dose rising over the study (amount not stated in abstract)
- Duration
- 4 weeks, extended to 10 weeks in a subgroup
- What was measured
- Muscle carnosine in vastus lateralis biopsies at weeks 0, 4 and 10, fibre-type carnosine, muscle taurine, and total work done in cycling at 110% of peak power.
What the authors reported
Muscle carnosine rose 58.8% after 4 weeks and 80.1% after 10 weeks, with no change in the placebo group. Type I and type IIa fibres increased by similar amounts. Total work done rose 13.0% at 4 weeks and a further 3.2% by week 10, and did not change with placebo. Muscle taurine was unchanged. The rise in work done tracked the rise in muscle carnosine.
Limits of this study
Small study, with muscle biopsies in only 6 participants at some time points. Dose not given in the abstract. Manufacturer-supplied supplement.
Source
PubMed 16868650 · doi:10.1007/s00726-006-0364-4
Entry checked against Springer journal page (abstract) on 2026-10-11. The dose shown is the dose the researchers used. It is not a recommendation. How to read this page.