This document outlines a proposed study to examine the effects of beta-alanine supplementation on the onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA) in moderately trained male cyclists. It includes an introduction describing previous research findings on beta-alanine and carnosine, expected outcomes of increased carnosine levels delaying muscle acidosis. The methodology section details a double-blind, placebo-controlled design testing OBLA before and after 28 days of supplementation, with blood lactate and other performance measures. References are provided on carnosine synthesis and previous related studies finding improved submaximal endurance with beta-alanine supplementation.

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Effects of ß-alanine supplementation on the onset of blood
lactate accumulation in moderately trained male cyclists
We expect the OBLA of the β -Alanine group to be at a higher
workload than the control group following the supplementation
period. Increasing intramuscular carnosine concentration will
delay pH decline with increased anaerobic metabolism during
high intensity cycling. The placebo group should not experience
any change in performance.
Expected Outcome
βeta-Alanine (β -Alanine) is an amino acid whose supplementation has been
shown to increase intramuscular carnosine levels. Carnosine, an intramuscu-
lar buffer, plays an important role in the homeostasis of contracting muscle
cells. Carnosine buffers hydrogen ions produced by cellular metabolism and
therefore helps maintain a stable pH level. As β -Alanine is the limiting factor
in the synthesis of carnosine; supplementation has positive effects on carnos-
ine concentration. Previous research has shown that β -Alanine supplementa-
tion improves performance by delaying muscle acidosis and increasing an-
aerobic metabolism during high intensity and repeated sprint exercise [1] [2]
[3] [4]. The effects of β -Alanine on endurance cycling have yet to be meas-
ured. Increasing endurance is defined as delaying the onset of blood lactate
accumulation (OBLA) and consequently delaying volitional exhaustion time.
As β -Alanine supplementation may lead to improved endurance perfor-
mance, this study will investigate the effects of slow-release β -Alanine on the
OBLA of moderately trained male cyclists [4].
Introduction
References
Methodology
Figure 1: The Production of Intramuscular Carnosine [6].
• 30 male moderately trained male cyclists (cycle ≥ 3x/wk, aged 19-30)*
• 30 subjects - 15 x β -Alanine and 15 x Placebo (rice flour)*
• Testing - days 1 and 29
• Fast two hours prior
• Abstain from other supplements 6 weeks prior
• Participants maintain consistent cycling mileage throughout study
• Abstain from caffeine, alcohol and vigorous exercise 24h prior
• Hydrate 2L water day before, hydrate with 600mL 1h before testing*
A 2010 research study by Jordan et al found supplementing with β -Alanine
for 28 days “enhanced sub-maximal endurance performance by delaying
OBLA” [5]. This result was determined by conducting a pre-supplementation
and post-supplementation test on moderately trained male runners. Adapt-
ing the methodology of this study, it is possible to extend the research to the
popular Australian sport of cycling.
This study will contain a control group given a placebo (rice flour) and an ex-
perimental group given β -Alanine (6g/day). All participants will complete
identical cycling performance tests on a bicycle erogmeter. The first will occur
one day prior to supplementation, and the second after 28 days of supple-
mentation. Capillary blood lactate samples will be collected during the last
30s of each stage. For this study the OBLA was set at 4.0 mmol/L.
Outline
Project Code. PBH03b
Carly Krumins
Bree Playel
Teonie Harland
Barbara Constanzaa
• Exclude vegetarians (low carnosine levels)* [2]
• Record age and height
• Record body mass and body mass index on days 1 and 29
• Dosage 6g/day (2g/dose, 3 capsules/day, with meal) days 2-29
• Record oxygen uptake every 30s determining VO2max (highest 30s
average prior to volitional exhaustion). VO2 max criteria: two or more of
the following – reaching a VO2 plateau in the final 2 stages (<2.1
ml/kg/min increase), achieving a respiratory exchange ratio of ≥1.10
and/or reaching a heart rate within 5bpm [5]
• Final 30s of each stage: 1. Record self-reported overall rating of perceived
exhaustion (RPE). Scale: 1-20*, volunteers familiarised with scale prior 2.
Collect capillary blood lactate sample (OBLA marker is 4.0mmol/L - a valid
measure of physiological changes related to endurance performance) [5]
*Modified variables
Credit: Coombes, J, & Skinner, T, Elsevier Australia, 2012
Figure 2: The Effect size of placebo (Pla) and β-alanine (βA) groups when subdivided
by exercise duration. Green represents Pla groups and purple represents βA groups.
* denotes significantly greater than Pla (P = 0.046), *** denotes significantly
greater than PLA (P = 0.001) [7].
[9]
[8]
Dietary intake of
β-alanine (food
or supplement)
β-alanine
enters myocyte
Carnsine
Synthetase catalyses
L-histidine and
β-alanine reaction
Intramuscular
carnosine is
formed