King Grub
2016-08-30, 08:45
Objectives
In official judo competitions, athletes usually engage in 5-7 matches in the same day, performing numerous high-intensity efforts interspersed by short recovery intervals. Thus, glycolytic demand in judo is high and acidosis may limit performance. Carnosine is a relevant intracellular acid buffer whose content is increased with beta-alanine supplementation. Thus, we hypothesized that beta-alanine supplementation could attenuate acidosis and improve judo performance.
Design
Twenty-three highly-trained judo athletes were randomly assigned to receive either beta-alanine (6.4 g.day−1) or placebo (dextrose, same dosage) for 4 weeks.
Methods
Performance was assessed before (PRE) and after (POST) supplementation through a 5-minute simulated fight (randori) followed by 3 bouts of the Special Judo Fitness Test (SJFT). Blood samples were collected for blood pH, bicarbonate (HCO3−) and lactate determination.
Results
Beta-alanine supplementation improved the number of throws per set and the total number of throws (both p < 0.05). Placebo did not change these variables (both p > 0.05). Blood pH and HCO3− reduced after exercise (all p < 0.001), with no between-group differences (all p > 0.05). However, the lactate response to exercise increased in the beta-alanine group as compared to placebo (p < 0.05).
Conclusions
In conclusion, 4 weeks of beta-alanine supplementation effectively enhance judo-related performance in highly-trained athletes.
Beta-alanine supplementation enhances judo-related performance in highly-trained athletes. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, August 16 2016.
In official judo competitions, athletes usually engage in 5-7 matches in the same day, performing numerous high-intensity efforts interspersed by short recovery intervals. Thus, glycolytic demand in judo is high and acidosis may limit performance. Carnosine is a relevant intracellular acid buffer whose content is increased with beta-alanine supplementation. Thus, we hypothesized that beta-alanine supplementation could attenuate acidosis and improve judo performance.
Design
Twenty-three highly-trained judo athletes were randomly assigned to receive either beta-alanine (6.4 g.day−1) or placebo (dextrose, same dosage) for 4 weeks.
Methods
Performance was assessed before (PRE) and after (POST) supplementation through a 5-minute simulated fight (randori) followed by 3 bouts of the Special Judo Fitness Test (SJFT). Blood samples were collected for blood pH, bicarbonate (HCO3−) and lactate determination.
Results
Beta-alanine supplementation improved the number of throws per set and the total number of throws (both p < 0.05). Placebo did not change these variables (both p > 0.05). Blood pH and HCO3− reduced after exercise (all p < 0.001), with no between-group differences (all p > 0.05). However, the lactate response to exercise increased in the beta-alanine group as compared to placebo (p < 0.05).
Conclusions
In conclusion, 4 weeks of beta-alanine supplementation effectively enhance judo-related performance in highly-trained athletes.
Beta-alanine supplementation enhances judo-related performance in highly-trained athletes. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, August 16 2016.