Effects of beta-alanine supplementation on exercise performance: a meta-analysis
Meta-analysisHumansWith 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
- Meta-analysis
- Subjects
- 15 studies, 57 outcome measures within 23 exercise tests and 18 supplementation regimes, 360 participants (174 beta-alanine, 186 placebo)
- What was measured
- Effect size of beta-alanine versus placebo on exercise tests, grouped by exercise duration.
What the authors reported
Beta-alanine produced a larger effect than placebo (median effect size 0.374 versus 0.108; P = 0.002). Exercise capacity improved (P = 0.013) but exercise performance did not (P = 0.204). The benefit was significant for exercise lasting 60 to 240 s (P = 0.001) and over 240 s (P = 0.046) but not under 60 s (P = 0.312). Median improvement was 2.85% (range -0.37 to 10.49%) at a median total supplemented dose of 179 g. The authors call it a preliminary quantitative review.
Limits of this study
Pooled studies varied in dose, duration and test. Preliminary meta-analysis. Full text not read.
Source
PubMed 22270875 · doi:10.1007/s00726-011-1200-z
Entry checked against PubMed abstract (E-utilities) on 2026-10-19. The dose shown is the dose the researchers used. It is not a recommendation. How to read this page.