The effect of 4 weeks beta-alanine supplementation and isokinetic training on carnosine concentrations in type I and II human skeletal muscle fibres
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
- 14 male students (7 beta-alanine, 7 placebo)
- Dose used in the study
- 6.4 g beta-alanine per day
- Duration
- 4 weeks
- What was measured
- Carnosine by HPLC in vastus lateralis biopsies and in dissected fibres typed by myosin heavy chain (I, IIa, IIx and hybrids), in a trained leg and an untrained control leg, before and after supplementation.
What the authors reported
Beta-alanine increased carnosine in both the trained (+9.63 mmol/kg dry muscle) and untrained (+6.55 mmol/kg) legs, with significant increases in all fibre types and no difference between types or between legs. Placebo produced no change in either leg. Four weeks of isokinetic training did not affect muscle carnosine, and the authors conclude that beta-alanine availability is the main factor regulating muscle carnosine synthesis.
Limits of this study
Small sample of young men; placebo matched but blinding not described in abstract. Abstract only.
Source
PubMed 19214556 · doi:10.1007/s00421-009-0998-5
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.