Effect of β-alanine Supplementation and Training on Ergogenic Measures and Plasma Metabolites in Untrained Young Adults

Effect of β-alanine Supplementation and Training on Ergogenic Parameters and Plasma Metabolites in Untrained Young Adults: a Randomized, Placebo-controlled, Double-blind Trial

This study enrolled untrained young adults to evaluate the effects of β-alanine supplementation combined with a structured exercise training program. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either β-alanine or a placebo while completing a six-week training regimen. Before and after the intervention, physical performance tests and blood samples were collected to assess changes in performance measures and biochemical markers in the blood. The purpose of the study was to determine how β-alanine supplementation influences exercise performance and related physiological outcomes in individuals who had not previously engaged in regular training.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Dietary Supplementation; Healthy Vollunteer
• Intervention / Treatment: Dietary supplement: β-Alanine; Dietary supplement: Placebo

Detailed Description

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted to evaluate the effects of β-alanine supplementation combined with a structured exercise training program in untrained young adults. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either β-alanine supplementation or a matching placebo while completing a six-week supervised training intervention. Both participants and investigators responsible for training supervision and outcome assessments were blinded to group allocation.

The primary outcome measures focused on changes in physical performance capacity. Maximal muscle strength was assessed using standardized dynamometric measurements, and aerobic capacity was evaluated using a validated shuttle run test performed before and after the intervention.

Secondary outcome measures included changes in anthropometric parameters, pulmonary function, and exercise-related metabolic responses. Blood lactate concentrations were measured during standardized exercise testing to characterize metabolic responses to training and supplementation. In addition, fasting venous blood samples were collected before and after the intervention to determine plasma concentrations of β-alanine, histidine, and carnosine as biochemical outcome measures related to supplementation and training adaptation.

All outcome measures were collected at baseline and following completion of the six-week intervention period. Adverse events were monitored throughout the study duration through participant self-report and investigator observation. All study procedures were performed in accordance with ethical approval and institutional guidelines.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 43
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Hungary
  • Pécs, Hungary
    • University of Pecs

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy young adults aged 18-30 years.
• Untrained individuals without participation in structured resistance or endurance training during the previous 6 months.
• Not physically inactive, but not engaged in regular structured exercise training.
• Ability to participate in a six-week supervised multicomponent exercise training program.
• Willingness to comply with study procedures, training sessions, and supplementation protocol.
• Provision of written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Known cardiovascular, metabolic, neuromuscular, or musculoskeletal disease.
• Acute injury at the time of enrollment.
• Regular use of medications or dietary supplements affecting muscle metabolism or exercise performance.
• Participation in structured resistance or endurance training during the previous 6 months.
• Failure to comply with the study protocol or training requirements.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Double

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: β-Alanine Supplementation; Participants received β-alanine supplementation at a dose of 50 mg/kg/day, divided into multiple daily doses, in combination with a supervised six-week exercise training program.	Dietary supplement: β-Alanine; β-alanine was administered orally at a dose of 50 mg/kg/day, divided into multiple daily doses and consumed with meals, throughout the six-week training intervention.
Placebo Comparator: Placebo; Participants received a visually identical placebo following the same dosing schedule as the supplementation group, in combination with a supervised six-week exercise training program.	Dietary supplement: Placebo; Participants received visually identical placebo capsules following the same dosing schedule as the β-alanine group during the six-week training intervention.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in maximal muscle strength	Maximal muscle strength was assessed by dynamometric measurements of maximal voluntary isometric contraction.	Baseline and 6 weeks
Change in aerobic capacity	Aerobic capacity was estimated by VO₂max derived from the 20-m multistage fitness test (shuttle run).	Baseline and 6 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Body mass index (BMI)	Body mass index calculated from measured height and body mass..	Baseline and 6 weeks
Body fat percentage	Body fat percentage estimated from standardized skinfold thickness measurements.	Baseline and 6 weeks
Forced vital capacity (FVC)	Forced vital capacity measured by spirometry using a portable spirometer to assess respiratory function.	Baseline and 6 weeks
Acute blood lactate response to dynamometric exercise	Acute blood lactate responses were measured during standardized dynamometric exercise testing.	Baseline and 6 weeks
Plasma β-alanine concentration	Plasma β-alanine concentration measured from fasting venous blood samples.	Baseline and 6 weeks
Plasma histidine concentration	Plasma histidine concentration measured from fasting venous blood samples.	Baseline and 6 weeks
Plasma carnosine concentration	Plasma carnosine concentration measured from fasting venous blood samples.	Baseline and 6 weeks

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Adverse events	Adverse events monitored through participant self-report and investigator observation.	Up to 6 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Pecs

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 1, 2012
• Primary Completion (Actual): March 1, 2012
• Study Completion (Actual): March 1, 2012

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 29, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 4, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): February 11, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): February 11, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 4, 2026
• Last Verified: February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Exercise training; Dietary supplementation; Physical performance; β-alanine; Untrained adults
• Other Study ID Numbers: 316-2406-1/KK15/2011

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: Individual participant data will not be shared publicly due to data protection and privacy considerations. De-identified data may be made available upon reasonable request to the corresponding author, subject to institutional approval.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No