New research suggests that the dietary supplement beta-alanine (BA), which is commonly used by athletes and body builders, can help seniors to improve their fitness levels.
Jeffrey Stout and colleagues gave 26 seniors a 90-day course of BA (800 mg x 3/day) or placebo in order to determine the effects of BA supplementation on physical working capacity at the fatigue threshold (PWCFT). Fitness testing was performed both before and after the trial period.
Results showed that PWCFT increased by 28.6% over the course of the study in those who received BA, in comparison, no change in PWCFT was observed in participants who received the placebo. These findings led the researchers to conclude: “Ninety days of BA supplementation may increase physical working capacity by delaying the onset of neuromuscular fatigue in elderly men and women. We suggest that BA supplementation, by improving intracellular pH control, improves muscle endurance in the elderly. This, we believe, could have importance in the prevention of falls, and the maintenance of health and independent living in elderly men and women.”
Stout JR, Graves S, Smith AE, Hartman MJ, Cramer JT, Beck TW, Harris RC. The effect of beta-alanine supplementation on neuromuscular fatigue in elderly (55-92 Years): a double-blind randomized study. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 2008;5:21. doi:10.1186/1550-2783-5-21
