Background:

the use of beta-alanine (BA) to increase physical performance in the heavy-intensity domain zone (HIDZ) is widely documented. However, the effect of this amino acid on the post-exertion rating of perceived exertion (RPE), heart rate (HR), and blood lactate (BL) is still uncertain.

Objectives:

a) to determine the effect of acute BA supplementation on post-exertion RPE, HR, and BL in middle-distance athletes; and b) to determine the effect of acute BA supplementation on physical performance on the 6-minute race test (6-MRT).

Material and methods:

the study included 12 male middle-distance athletes. The design was quasi-experimental, intrasubject, double-blind & crossover. It had two treatments (low-dose BA [30 mg·kg-1] and high-dose BA [45 mg·kg-1]) and a placebo, 72 hours apart. The effect of BA was evaluated at the end of the 6-MRT and post-exertion. The variables were RPE, HR and BL, and 6-MRT (m) distance. The statistical analysis included a repeated-measures ANOVA (p < 0.05).

Results:

the analysis evidenced no significant differences at the end of 6-MRT for all variables (p < 0.05). However, both doses of BA generated a lower post-exertion RPE. The high dose of BA caused significant increases in post-exertion BL (p < 0.05).

Conclusion:

acute supplementation with BA generated a lower post-exertion RPE. This decrease in RPE and the post-exertion BL increase could be related to an increase in physical performance in HIDZ.

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