Beta-Alanine Supplementation Improves Throwing Velocities in Repeated Sprint Ability and 200-m Swimming Performance in Young Water Polo Players

• Published in: Pediatric exercise science 2017-05, Vol.29 (2), p.203-212
• Main Authors: Claus, Gabriel Machado, Redkva, Paulo Eduardo, Brisola, Gabriel Mota Pinheiro, Malta, Elvis Sousa, de Araujo Bonetti de Poli, Rodrigo, Miyagi, Willian Eiji, Zagatto, Alessandro Moura
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ability tests; Administration, Oral; Adolescent; Athletic Performance - physiology; beta-Alanine - administration & dosage; beta-Alanine - pharmacology; Dietary Supplements; Double-Blind Method; Drug Administration Schedule; Humans; Male; Muscle Fatigue - drug effects; Muscle Fatigue - physiology; Performance-Enhancing Substances - administration & dosage; Performance-Enhancing Substances - pharmacology; Swimming - physiology; Velocity; Water polo; Water Sports - physiology; Youth Sports - physiology
• ISSN: 0899-8493; 1543-2920
• DOI: 10.1123/pes.2016-0176

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of beta-alanine supplementation on specific tests for water polo. Fifteen young water polo players (16 ± 2 years) underwent a 200-m swimming performance, repeated-sprint ability test (RSA) with free throw (shooting), and 30-s maximal tethered eggbeater kicks. Participants were randomly allocated into two groups (placebo × beta-alanine) and supplemented with 6.4g∙day of beta-alanine or a placebo for six weeks. The mean and total RSA times, the magnitude based inference analysis showed a likely beneficial effect for beta-alanine supplementation (both). The ball velocity measured in the throwing performance after each sprint in the RSA presented a very like beneficial inference in the beta-alanine group for mean (96.4%) and percentage decrement of ball velocity (92.5%, likely beneficial). Furthermore, the percentage change for mean ball velocity was different between groups (beta-alanine=+2.5% and placebo=-3.5%; p = .034). In the 30-s maximal tethered eggbeater kicks the placebo group presented decreased peak force, mean force, and fatigue index, while the beta-alanine group maintained performance in mean force (44.1%, possibly beneficial), only presenting decreases in peak force. The 200-m swimming performance showed a possibly beneficial effect (68.7%). Six weeks of beta-alanine supplementation was effective for improving ball velocity shooting in the RSA, maintaining performance in the 30-s test, and providing possibly beneficial effects in the 200-m swimming performance.