Journal of Sport and Exercise Physiology

Journal of Sport and Exercise Physiology

The effects of beta-alanine supplementation and regular taekwondo training on anaerobic and aerobic performance in female taekwondo athletes

Document Type : original article

Authors
Elaheh Dianati
Hamid Rajabi
Nena Khaledi
Sadegh Amani Shalamzari
Sports Physiology Department, Faculty of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
10.48308/joeppa.2024.234013.1209
Abstract
Background and Purpose: Beta-alanine supplement, which is a precursor of carnosine, may improve performance by providing a buffering effect. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of beta-alanine supplementation and regular Taekwondo training on anaerobic, aerobic, and endurance activity substrate metabolism in female Taekwondo athletes.
Materials and Methods: Twenty-four female professional taekwondo practitioners (age, 18.0±2.5 years), from Tehran province volunteered to participate in this research. Based on the body composition and training history, the subjects were divided into two groups (n=12) of supplement and placebo. The pre-tests consisted of the an aerobic specific test (Progressive Specific Taekwondo Test, PSTT) including repeated strikes of Bandal-Tchagui to exhaustion time during a maximum duration of 15 minutes and a taekwondo anaerobic test (Frequency Speed of Kick Te, FSKT) including 5 sets of 10-second high-speed Bandal-Tchagui kicks with maximum strength. Furthermore, the substrate metabolism of the endurance activity was measured by a gas analyzer, and the VCO2, VO2, VO2peak, HR, and HRpeak were measured. During and immediately after the test, the level of perception of fatigue was evaluated. Moreover, blood lactate levels were measured using a lactometer after the anaerobic and aerobic tests. After 28 days of receiving the supplement or placebo (5g/day) at the designated day times, the pre-test measurements were repeated. Repeated measures of ANOVA with between-group factor and Bonferroni post-hoc tests were used to compare the data.
Results: There was no significant difference between the two supplement and placebo groups for anaerobic capacity, aerobic capacity, and substrate metabolism (p<0.05). Although, both groups (supplement and placebo) showed significant improvements in the time to exhaustion and the number of steps to exhaustion in the post-test compared to the pre-test, these improvements were significantly higher in the supplement group compared to the placebo (p<0.05).
Conclusion: During the research period, beta-alanine supplementation had only an effect on some performance indicators and probably more pronounced effects on the performance of elite athletes would be seen in the long term. However, this little gain can be important in professional athletes, and more studies are needed in this field for a concrete conclusion.
Keywords
Taekwondo-Specific Anaerobic Test
Taekwondo-Specific Aerobic Test
Fat Oxidation
Carbohydrate Oxidation
Beta-Alanine
Respiratory Exchange
Metabolism
Subjects

  1.  

    1. Yousef K, Khosro J, Gholamreza S. Comparison the effect of Beta-Alanine and sodium bicarbonate supplementation on changes LDH and CK in elite men taekwondo. Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Research. 2015;7(12):1067-72.
    2. Thomas G. Periodization: Theory and Methodology of Training (Book Review). The Sport and Exercise Scientist. 2020(65):10.
    3. Behpoor N, Yoosefi S. The Effect of β-Alanine Supplementation on Serum Lactate Response and Muscular Endurance in Male Bodybuilders. Iranian Journal of Nutrition Sciences & Food Technology. 2017;12(2):19-26.
    4. Basereh A, Rajabi H, Gharibzadeh S, Jaberzadeh S. Adaptations of cortical-spinal excitatory and inhibitory pathways in strength changes caused by resistance training in untrained individuals Based on Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. Sport Physiology & Management Investigations. 2022;14(1):81-97.
    5. Yavuz HU, Turnagol H, Demirel AH. Pre-exercise arginine supplementation increases time to exhaustion in elite male wrestlers. Biology of sport. 2014;3(1), 91-187.
    6. Sheikholeslami-Vatani D, Bolurian MR. Acute effects of different doses of beta-alanine supplement on neuromuscular fatigue and lactate accumulation after intense interval exercise. Studies in Medical Sciences. 2016;26(11):912-20.
    7. Evaluation of national athlete's attitude to vitamin/mineral supplements. Journal of Sport and Exercise Physiology. 2010;2(2):279-285
    8. Maté-Muñoz JL, Lougedo JH, Garnacho-Castaño MV, Veiga-Herreros P, Lozano-Estevan MdC, García-Fernández P, et al. Effects of β-alanine supplementation during a 5-week strength training program: a randomized, controlled study. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 2018;15(1):19.
    9. Hill C, Harris RC, Kim H, Harris B, Sale C, Boobis L, et al. Influence of β-alanine supplementation on skeletal muscle carnosine concentrations and high intensity cycling capacity. Amino acids. 2007;32:225-33.
    10. Trexler ET, Smith-Ryan AE, Stout JR, Hoffman JR, Wilborn CD, Sale C, et al. International society of sports nutrition position stand: Beta-Alanine. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 2015;12(1):30.
    11. Alabsi K, Rashidlamir A, Dokht EH. The effect of 4 Weeks of strength training and beta-alanine supplementation on anaerobic power and carnosine level in boxer players. Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise. 2023;5(1):62-9.
    12. Smith AE, Walter AA, Graef JL, Kendall KL, Moon JR, Lockwood CM, et al. Effects of β-alanine supplementation and high-intensity interval training on endurance performance and body composition in men; a double-blind trial. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 2009;6(1):5.
    13. Smith AE, Walter AA, Graef JL, Kendall KL, Moon JR, Lockwood CM, Fukuda DH, Beck TW, Cramer JT, Stout JR. Effects of beta-alanine supplementation and high-intensity interval training on endurance performance and body composition in men; a double-blind trial. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2009; 11;6:5.
    14. Chung W, Shaw G, Anderson ME, Pyne DB, Saunders PU, Bishop DJ, et al. Effect of 10 week beta-alanine supplementation on competition and training performance in elite swimmers. Nutrients. 2012;4(10):1441-53.
    15. Harris RC, Tallon M, Dunnett M, Boobis L, Coakley J, Kim HJ, et al. The absorption of orally supplied β-alanine and its effect on muscle carnosine synthesis in human vastus lateralis. Amino acids. 2006;30:279-89.
    16. Bridge CA, Ferreira da Silva Santos J, Chaabene H, Pieter W, Franchini E. Physical and physiological profiles of taekwondo athletes. Sports Medicine. 2014;44:713-33.
    17. Tayech A, Mejri MA, Chaabene H, Chaouachi M, Behm DG, Chaouachi A. Test-retest reliability and criterion validity of a new Taekwondo Anaerobic Intermittent Kick Test. The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness. 2018;59(2):230-7.
    18. Durkalec–Michalski K, Zawieja EE, Zawieja BE, Michałowska P, Podgórski T. The gender dependent influence of sodium bicarbonate supplementation on anaerobic power and specific performance in female and male wrestlers. Scientific reports. 2020;10(1):1-12.
    19. da Silva Santos JF, Franchini E. Is frequency speed of kick test responsive to training? A study with taekwondo athletes. Sport Sciences for Health. 2016;12:377-82.
    20. da Silva Santos JF, Franchini E. Frequency speed of kick test performance comparison between female taekwondo athletes of different competitive levels. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research. 2018;32(10):2934-8.
    21. Sant'Ana J, Franchini E, Murias JM, Diefenthaeler F. Validity of a taekwondo-specific test to measure VO2peak and the heart rate deflection point. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research. 2019;33(9):2523-9.
    22. Sadowski1ACD J, Gierczuk1BD D, Miller2BE J, Cieśliński1CD I. Success factors in elite WTF taekwondo competitors. 2021:32(9):2432-8
    23. Gross M, Boesch C, Bolliger CS, Norman B, Gustafsson T, Hoppeler H, et al. Effects of beta-alanine supplementation and interval training on physiological determinants of severe exercise performance. European journal of applied physiology. 2014;114:221-34.
    24. Askari F, Rahmaninia F. The effect of 8 weeks beta-alanine supplementation and resistance training on maximal-intensity exercise performance adaptations in young males. Physical education of students. 20.8-4:(1) 19-23.
    25. Wang R. The Effect of Repeated Sprint Training in Hypoxia and Beta-Alanine Supplementation on Exercise Performance. 2017.

    26.Rosas F, Ramírez Campillo R, Martínez Salazar C, Caniuqueo Vargas A, Cañas Jamet R, McCrudden E, et al. Effects of plyometric training and beta-alanine supplementation on maximal-intensity exercise and endurance in female soccer players. Journal of Human Kinetics. 2017;1 (7), 99-109.

    1. Halz M, Kaszuba M, Helbin J, Krzysztofik S, Suchanecka A, Zając A. Beta-alanine supplementation and anaerobic performance in highly trained judo athletes. Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity. 2022;14(2):1.
    2. Kim K-J, Song H-S, Yoon DH, Fukuda DH, Kim SH, Park D-H. The effects of 10 weeks of β-alanine supplementation on peak power, power drop, and lactate response in Korean national team boxers. Journal of exercise rehabilitation. 2018;14(6):985.
    3. Tobias G, Benatti FB, de Salles Painelli V, Roschel H, Gualano B, Sale C, et al. Additive effects of beta-alanine and sodium bicarbonate on upper-body intermittent performance. Amino acids. 2013;45:309-17.
    4. Begum G, Cunliffe A, Leveritt M. Physiological role of carnosine in contracting muscle. International journal of sport nutrition and exercise metabolism. 2005; 15(5):493-514.
    5. mirmohammadi s. Comparison of Selected physiological and Physical Fitness characteristics of Professional Women taekwondo athletes in Kiurogi and Poomsae Styles. Journal of Sport and Exercise Physiology. 2017;10(2):47-58.
    6. Donovan T, Ballam T, Morton JP, Close GL. β-alanine improves punch force and frequency in amateur boxers during a simulated contest. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2012;22(5):331-7.
    7. Kendrick IP, Harris RC, Kim HJ, Kim CK, Dang VH, Lam TQ, et al. The effects of 10 weeks of resistance training combined with β-alanine supplementation on whole body strength, force production, muscular endurance and body composition. Amino acids. 2008;34:547-54.
    8. Beasley L, Smith L, Antonio J, Gordon D, Johnstone J, Roberts J. The effect of two β-alanine dosing strategies on 30-minute rowing performance: a randomized, controlled trial. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 2018;15(1):59.
    9. Bellinger PM, Minahan CL. Metabolic consequences of β-alanine supplementation during exhaustive supramaximal cycling and 4000-m time-trial performance. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism. 2016;41(8):864-71.
    10. Outlaw JJ, Smith-Ryan AE, Buckley AL, Urbina SL, Hayward S, Wingfield HL, et al. Effects of β-alanine on body composition and performance measures in collegiate women. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 2016;30(9):2627-37.
    11. Ghiasvand R, Askari G, Malekzadeh J, Hajishafiee M, Daneshvar P, Akbari F, et al. Effects of Six Weeks of β-alanine Administration on VO(2) max, Time to Exhaustion and Lactate Concentrations in Physical Education Students. Int J Prev Med. 2012;3(8):559-63.
    12. Smith AE, Moon JR, Kendall KL, Graef JL, Lockwood CM, Walter AA, et al. The effects of beta-alanine supplementation and high-intensity interval training on neuromuscular fatigue and muscle function. European journal of applied physiology. 2009;105:357-63.
    13. Skulachev V. Biological role of carnosine in the functioning of excitable tissues. Biochemistry Moscow.2000; 65(7):749-50.
    14. Norberto MS, Barbieri RA, Bertucci DR, Gobbi RB, Campos EZ, Zagatto AM, et al. Beta alanine supplementation effects on metabolic contribution and swimming performance. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 2020; 25;17(1):40.

     

  • Receive Date 09 January 2024
  • Revise Date 14 April 2024
  • Accept Date 24 April 2024
  • First Publish Date 24 April 2024
  • Publish Date 20 April 2024