Skip to main content
Top
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology 3/2009

01-02-2009 | Original Article

The effects of beta-alanine supplementation and high-intensity interval training on neuromuscular fatigue and muscle function

Authors: Abbie E. Smith, Jordan R. Moon, Kristina L. Kendall, Jennifer L. Graef, Christopher M. Lockwood, Ashley A. Walter, Travis W. Beck, Joel T. Cramer, Jeffrey R. Stout

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 3/2009

Login to get access

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of beta-alanine supplementation and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on electromyographic fatigue threshold (EMGFT) and efficiency of electrical activity (EEA). A total of 46 men completed four, 2-min work bouts on a cycle ergometer. Using bipolar surface electrodes, the EMG amplitude was averaged and plotted over the 2-min. The resulting slopes were used to calculate EMGFT and EEA. Following initial testing, all participants were randomly assigned to either placebo (PL; n = 18), beta-alanine (BA; n = 18) or control groups (CON; n = 10). Following randomization, participants engaged in 6 weeks of HIIT training. Significant improvements in EMGFT and EEA resulted for both training groups. In conclusion, HIIT appeared to be the primary stimulus effecting EMGFT or EEA, suggesting adaptations from HIIT may be more influential than increasing skeletal muscle carnosine levels on delaying fatigue in recreationally active men.
Literature
go back to reference Brown L, Greenwood M (2005) Periodization essentials and innovations in resistance training protocols. JSCR 27:80–85 Brown L, Greenwood M (2005) Periodization essentials and innovations in resistance training protocols. JSCR 27:80–85
go back to reference Derave W, Ozdemir MS, Harris RC, Pottier A, Reyngoudt H, Koppo K, Wise JA, Achten E (2007) beta-Alanine supplementation augments muscle carnosine content and attenuates fatigue during repeated isokinetic contraction bouts in trained sprinters. J Appl Physiol 103:1736–1743. doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00397.2007 PubMedCrossRef Derave W, Ozdemir MS, Harris RC, Pottier A, Reyngoudt H, Koppo K, Wise JA, Achten E (2007) beta-Alanine supplementation augments muscle carnosine content and attenuates fatigue during repeated isokinetic contraction bouts in trained sprinters. J Appl Physiol 103:1736–1743. doi:10.​1152/​japplphysiol.​00397.​2007 PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference DeVries HA (1968a) “Efficiency of electrical activity” as a physiological measure of the functional state of muscle tissue. Am J Phys Med 47:10–22PubMed DeVries HA (1968a) “Efficiency of electrical activity” as a physiological measure of the functional state of muscle tissue. Am J Phys Med 47:10–22PubMed
go back to reference DeVries HA (1968b) Method for evaluation of muscle fatigue and endurance from electromyographic fatigue curves. Am J Phys Med 47:125–135PubMed DeVries HA (1968b) Method for evaluation of muscle fatigue and endurance from electromyographic fatigue curves. Am J Phys Med 47:125–135PubMed
go back to reference deVries HA, Moritani T, Nagata A, Magnussen K (1982) The relation between critical power and neuromuscular fatigue as estimated from electromyographic data. Ergonomics 25:783–791PubMedCrossRef deVries HA, Moritani T, Nagata A, Magnussen K (1982) The relation between critical power and neuromuscular fatigue as estimated from electromyographic data. Ergonomics 25:783–791PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Dunnett M, Harris RC, Soliman MZ, Suwar AA (1997) Carnosine, anserine and taurine contents in individual fibres from the middle gluteal muscle of the camel. Res Vet Sci 62:213–216PubMedCrossRef Dunnett M, Harris RC, Soliman MZ, Suwar AA (1997) Carnosine, anserine and taurine contents in individual fibres from the middle gluteal muscle of the camel. Res Vet Sci 62:213–216PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Edge J, Bishop D, Goodman C (2006) The effects of training intensity on muscle buffer capacity in females. Eur J Appl Physiol 96:97–105PubMedCrossRef Edge J, Bishop D, Goodman C (2006) The effects of training intensity on muscle buffer capacity in females. Eur J Appl Physiol 96:97–105PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Harmer AR, McKenna MJ, Sutton JR, Snow RJ, Ruell PA, Booth J, Thompson MW, Mackay NA, Stathis CG, Crameri RM, Carey MF, Eager DM (2000) Skeletal muscle metabolic and ionic adaptations during intense exercise following sprint training in humans. J Appl Physiol 89:1793–1803PubMed Harmer AR, McKenna MJ, Sutton JR, Snow RJ, Ruell PA, Booth J, Thompson MW, Mackay NA, Stathis CG, Crameri RM, Carey MF, Eager DM (2000) Skeletal muscle metabolic and ionic adaptations during intense exercise following sprint training in humans. J Appl Physiol 89:1793–1803PubMed
go back to reference Harris RC, Marlin DJ, Dunnett M, Snow DH, Hultman E (1990) Muscle buffering capacity and dipeptide content in the thoroughbred horse, greyhound dog and man. Comp Biochem Physiol A 97:249–251PubMedCrossRef Harris RC, Marlin DJ, Dunnett M, Snow DH, Hultman E (1990) Muscle buffering capacity and dipeptide content in the thoroughbred horse, greyhound dog and man. Comp Biochem Physiol A 97:249–251PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Harris RC, Tallon MJ, Dunnett M, Boobis L, Coakley J, Kim HJ, Fallowfield JL, Hill CA, Sale C, Wise JA (2006) The absorption of orally supplied beta-alanine and its effect on muscle carnosine synthesis in human vastus lateralis. Amino Acids 30:279–289PubMedCrossRef Harris RC, Tallon MJ, Dunnett M, Boobis L, Coakley J, Kim HJ, Fallowfield JL, Hill CA, Sale C, Wise JA (2006) The absorption of orally supplied beta-alanine and its effect on muscle carnosine synthesis in human vastus lateralis. Amino Acids 30:279–289PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Harris RC, Kendrick IP, Kim CK, Hyojeong K, Dang VH, Lam TQ, Bui TT, Wise JA (2007) The effect of physical training on the carnosine content of V Lateralis using a one-leg training model. Med Sci Sports Exerc 39:S91 Harris RC, Kendrick IP, Kim CK, Hyojeong K, Dang VH, Lam TQ, Bui TT, Wise JA (2007) The effect of physical training on the carnosine content of V Lateralis using a one-leg training model. Med Sci Sports Exerc 39:S91
go back to reference Hill CA, Harris RC, Kim HJ, Harris BD, Sale C, Boobis LH, Kim CK, Wise JA (2007) Influence of beta-alanine supplementation on skeletal muscle carnosine concentrations and high intensity cycling capacity. Amino Acids 32:225–233PubMedCrossRef Hill CA, Harris RC, Kim HJ, Harris BD, Sale C, Boobis LH, Kim CK, Wise JA (2007) Influence of beta-alanine supplementation on skeletal muscle carnosine concentrations and high intensity cycling capacity. Amino Acids 32:225–233PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Hoffman J, Ratamess N, Faigenbaum A, Ross R, Kang J, Stout J, Wise JA (2007) Short-duration beta-alanine supplementation increases training volume and reduces subjective feelings of fatigue in college football players. Nutr Res 28:31–35CrossRef Hoffman J, Ratamess N, Faigenbaum A, Ross R, Kang J, Stout J, Wise JA (2007) Short-duration beta-alanine supplementation increases training volume and reduces subjective feelings of fatigue in college football players. Nutr Res 28:31–35CrossRef
go back to reference Housh TJ, Devries HA, Housh DJ, Tichy MW, Smyth KD, Tichy AM (1991) The relationship between critical power and the onset of blood lactate accumulation. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 31:31–36PubMed Housh TJ, Devries HA, Housh DJ, Tichy MW, Smyth KD, Tichy AM (1991) The relationship between critical power and the onset of blood lactate accumulation. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 31:31–36PubMed
go back to reference Juel C (2008) Regulation of pH in human skeletal muscle: adaptations to physical activity. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 193:17–24CrossRef Juel C (2008) Regulation of pH in human skeletal muscle: adaptations to physical activity. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 193:17–24CrossRef
go back to reference Kim CK, Kim HJ, Lee YW, Harris RC, Sale C, Harris BD, Wise JA (2007) Combined training and B-alanine supplementation—muscle carnosine synthesis, ventilatory threshold and exercise capacity in cyclists. Med Sci Sports Exerc 39:S364 Kim CK, Kim HJ, Lee YW, Harris RC, Sale C, Harris BD, Wise JA (2007) Combined training and B-alanine supplementation—muscle carnosine synthesis, ventilatory threshold and exercise capacity in cyclists. Med Sci Sports Exerc 39:S364
go back to reference Lamont C, Miller DJ (1992) Calcium sensitizing action of carnosine and other endogenous imidazoles in chemically skinned striated muscle. J Physiol 454:421–434PubMed Lamont C, Miller DJ (1992) Calcium sensitizing action of carnosine and other endogenous imidazoles in chemically skinned striated muscle. J Physiol 454:421–434PubMed
go back to reference Maestu J, Cicchella A, Purge P, Ruosi S, Jurimae J, Jurimae T (2006) Electromyographic and neuromuscular fatigue thresholds as concepts of fatigue. J Strength Cond Res 20:824–828PubMedCrossRef Maestu J, Cicchella A, Purge P, Ruosi S, Jurimae J, Jurimae T (2006) Electromyographic and neuromuscular fatigue thresholds as concepts of fatigue. J Strength Cond Res 20:824–828PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Matsumoto T, Ito K, Moritani T (1991) The relationship between anaerobic threshold and electromyographic fatigue threshold in college women. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 63:1–5PubMedCrossRef Matsumoto T, Ito K, Moritani T (1991) The relationship between anaerobic threshold and electromyographic fatigue threshold in college women. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 63:1–5PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference McClaren DP, Gibson H, Parry-Billings M, Edwards RHT (1989) A review of metabolic and physiological factors in fatigue. Exerc Sport Sci Rev 17:29–68 McClaren DP, Gibson H, Parry-Billings M, Edwards RHT (1989) A review of metabolic and physiological factors in fatigue. Exerc Sport Sci Rev 17:29–68
go back to reference McKenna MJ (1992) The roles of ionic processes in muscular fatigue during intense exercise. Sports Med 13:134–145PubMedCrossRef McKenna MJ (1992) The roles of ionic processes in muscular fatigue during intense exercise. Sports Med 13:134–145PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Moritani T, Muro M, Nagata A (1986) Intramuscular and surface electromyogram changes during muscle fatigue. J Appl Physiol 60:1179–1185PubMed Moritani T, Muro M, Nagata A (1986) Intramuscular and surface electromyogram changes during muscle fatigue. J Appl Physiol 60:1179–1185PubMed
go back to reference Moritani T, Takaishi T, Matsumoto T (1993) Determination of maximal power output at neuromuscular fatigue threshold. J Appl Physiol 74:1729–1734PubMed Moritani T, Takaishi T, Matsumoto T (1993) Determination of maximal power output at neuromuscular fatigue threshold. J Appl Physiol 74:1729–1734PubMed
go back to reference Mortimer JT, Magnusson R, Petersen I (1970) Conduction velocity in ischemic muscle: effect on EMG frequency spectrum. Am J Physiol 219:1324–1329PubMed Mortimer JT, Magnusson R, Petersen I (1970) Conduction velocity in ischemic muscle: effect on EMG frequency spectrum. Am J Physiol 219:1324–1329PubMed
go back to reference Pavlat DJ, Housh TJ, Johnson GO, Schmidt RJ, Eckerson JM (1993) An examination of the electromyographic fatigue threshold test. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 67:305–308PubMedCrossRef Pavlat DJ, Housh TJ, Johnson GO, Schmidt RJ, Eckerson JM (1993) An examination of the electromyographic fatigue threshold test. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 67:305–308PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Pedersen TH, Nielsen OB, Lamb GD, Stephenson DG (2004) Intracellular acidosis enhances the excitability of working muscle. Science 305:1144–1147PubMedCrossRef Pedersen TH, Nielsen OB, Lamb GD, Stephenson DG (2004) Intracellular acidosis enhances the excitability of working muscle. Science 305:1144–1147PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Pilegaard H, Domino K, Noland T, Juel C, Hellsten Y, Halestrap AP, Bangsbo J (1999) Effect of high-intensity exercise training on lactate/H+ transport capacity in human skeletal muscle. Am J Physiol 276:E255–E261PubMed Pilegaard H, Domino K, Noland T, Juel C, Hellsten Y, Halestrap AP, Bangsbo J (1999) Effect of high-intensity exercise training on lactate/H+ transport capacity in human skeletal muscle. Am J Physiol 276:E255–E261PubMed
go back to reference Robergs RA, Ghiasvand F, Parker D (2004) Biochemistry of exercise-induced metabolic acidosis. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 287:R502–R516PubMed Robergs RA, Ghiasvand F, Parker D (2004) Biochemistry of exercise-induced metabolic acidosis. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 287:R502–R516PubMed
go back to reference Stathis CG, Febbraio MA, Carey MF, Snow RJ (1994) Influence of sprint training on human skeletal muscle purine nucleotide metabolism. J Appl Physiol 76:1802–1809PubMed Stathis CG, Febbraio MA, Carey MF, Snow RJ (1994) Influence of sprint training on human skeletal muscle purine nucleotide metabolism. J Appl Physiol 76:1802–1809PubMed
go back to reference Stout JR, Cramer JT, Mielke M, O’Kroy J, Torok DJ, Zoeller RF (2006) Effects of twenty-eight days of beta-alanine and creatine monohydrate supplementation on the physical working capacity at neuromuscular fatigue threshold. J Strength Cond Res 20:928–931PubMedCrossRef Stout JR, Cramer JT, Mielke M, O’Kroy J, Torok DJ, Zoeller RF (2006) Effects of twenty-eight days of beta-alanine and creatine monohydrate supplementation on the physical working capacity at neuromuscular fatigue threshold. J Strength Cond Res 20:928–931PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Stout JR, Cramer JT, Zoeller RF, Torok D, Costa P, Hoffman JR, Harris RC, O’Kroy J (2007) Effects of beta-alanine supplementation on the onset of neuromuscular fatigue and ventilatory threshold in women. Amino Acids 32:381–386PubMedCrossRef Stout JR, Cramer JT, Zoeller RF, Torok D, Costa P, Hoffman JR, Harris RC, O’Kroy J (2007) Effects of beta-alanine supplementation on the onset of neuromuscular fatigue and ventilatory threshold in women. Amino Acids 32:381–386PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Suzuki Y, Ito O, Takahashi H, Takamatsu K (2004) The effect of sprint training on skeletal muscle carnosine in humans. Int J Sport Health Sci 2:105–110 Suzuki Y, Ito O, Takahashi H, Takamatsu K (2004) The effect of sprint training on skeletal muscle carnosine in humans. Int J Sport Health Sci 2:105–110
go back to reference Taylor AD, Bronks R, Bryant AL (1997) The relationship between electromyography and work intensity revisited: a brief review with references to lacticacidosis and hyperammonia. Electromyogr Clin Neurophysiol 37:387–398PubMed Taylor AD, Bronks R, Bryant AL (1997) The relationship between electromyography and work intensity revisited: a brief review with references to lacticacidosis and hyperammonia. Electromyogr Clin Neurophysiol 37:387–398PubMed
go back to reference Westerblad H, Bruton JD, Lannergren J (1997) The effect of intracellular pH on contractile function of intact, single fibres of mouse muscle declines with increasing temperature. J Physiol 500 (Pt 1):193–204 Westerblad H, Bruton JD, Lannergren J (1997) The effect of intracellular pH on contractile function of intact, single fibres of mouse muscle declines with increasing temperature. J Physiol 500 (Pt 1):193–204
go back to reference Weston AR, Myburgh KH, Lindsay FH, Dennis SC, Noakes TD, Hawley JA (1997) Skeletal muscle buffering capacity and endurance performance after high-intensity interval training by well-trained cyclists. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 75:7–13PubMedCrossRef Weston AR, Myburgh KH, Lindsay FH, Dennis SC, Noakes TD, Hawley JA (1997) Skeletal muscle buffering capacity and endurance performance after high-intensity interval training by well-trained cyclists. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 75:7–13PubMedCrossRef
Metadata
Title
The effects of beta-alanine supplementation and high-intensity interval training on neuromuscular fatigue and muscle function
Authors
Abbie E. Smith
Jordan R. Moon
Kristina L. Kendall
Jennifer L. Graef
Christopher M. Lockwood
Ashley A. Walter
Travis W. Beck
Joel T. Cramer
Jeffrey R. Stout
Publication date
01-02-2009
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 3/2009
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-008-0911-7

Other articles of this Issue 3/2009

European Journal of Applied Physiology 3/2009 Go to the issue