Zoeller RF, Stout JR, O’kroy JA, Torok DJ, Mielke M. Effects of 28 days of beta-alanine and creatine monohydrate supplementation on aerobic power, ventilatory and lactate thresholds, and time to exhaustion. Amino Acids. 2006 Sep 5;
Abstract
“The effect of beta-alanine (beta-Ala) alone or in combination with creatine monohydrate (Cr) on aerobic exercise performance is unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of 4 weeks of beta-Ala and Cr supplementation on indices of endurance performance. Fifty-five men (24.5 +/- 5.3 yrs) participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study and randomly assigned to one of 4 groups; placebo (PL, n = 13), creatine (Cr, n = 12), beta-alanine (beta-Ala, n = 14), or beta-alanine plus creatine (CrBA, n = 16). Prior to and following supplementation, participants performed a graded exercise test on a cycle ergometer to determine VO(2peak), time to exhaustion (TTE), and power output, VO(2), and percent VO(2peak) associated with VT and LT. No significant group effects were found. However, within groups, a significant time effect was observed for CrBa on 5 of the 8 parameters measured. These data suggest that CrBA may potentially enhance endurance performance.”
What I found interesting about this study is the fact the researchers loaded both beta alanine (Carnosyn) 1.6 grams and creatine/dextrose 5.25g/34g (Phosphagen Elite) for times a day for six days and then used a daily maintenance dose with same single dosing amounts. Given the positive out come of this experiement with regards V02 at lactate threshold (LT), VO 2 at ventillary threshold (VT), power output at LT, power output at VT, and VO2 max VT do you think loading beta-alanine might contribute to higher rate increasing intramuscular carnosine levels?
FYI- VO2 max is the highest rate oxygen can be used by someone exercising.
Other studies have shown that typical beta alanine supplement requires around 4 weeks to significantly raise intramuscular levels to anywhere from 58.8% and 80.1% after 10 weeks of supplementation (1). I’d be interested to see which company comes out with the first beta-alanine/creatine product and calls for a loading protocol to increase both intramuscular creatine and beta alanine levels. Could it be EAS? Who knows. However, I would be more than happy to try it out because both creatine and beta alanine are fantastic supplements.
*This was funded by a grant bye Abbott Laboratories which owns EAS. However, no EAS researchers were directly involved with the actual experiment.*
1. Hill, Harris, Kim, Harris, Sale, Boobis, Kim, Wise. Influence of beta-alanine supplementation on skeletal muscle carnosine concentrations and high intensity cycling capacity.Amino Acids. 2006. July 28
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