No ergogeniceffect of β-alanine on repeated sprint ability: a systematic review and multilevel meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Systematic review and multilevel meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
PubMed 41971372 · doi:10.3389/fnut.2026.1818755
What was done
Authors conducted a systematic review and multilevel random-effects meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials evaluating oral beta-alanine supplementation (at least two weeks) versus placebo on repeated sprint ability (RSA) in healthy populations. Databases searched up to January 2026 included PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Embase, and SPORTDiscus. Study quality was evaluated using Cochrane RoB 2.0, and certainty was assessed with GRADE.
What was found
Across 17 included RCTs, beta-alanine supplementation did not significantly improve: - Mean RSA performance: SMD = -0.018 (95% CI [-0.207, 0.170], p = 0.841) - Peak RSA performance: SMD = 0.205 (95% CI [-0.073, 0.483], p = 0.130) - Fatigue decrement: SMD = -0.020 (95% CI [-0.516, 0.476], p = 0.929) Subgroup and meta-regression analyses indicated no significant moderation by total dose, duration, exercise modality, or training status.
Why it matters
While beta-alanine effectively increases muscle carnosine for buffering sustained high-intensity exercise, this meta-analysis demonstrates it does not enhance repeated sprint performance, which depends primarily on phosphocreatine kinetics and oxidative recovery rather than buffering glycolytic acidosis.
Limits
The abstract does not report the total participant count, sex distribution, specific dose ranges, or individual GRADE ratings. Heterogeneity among specific repeated sprint protocols may also exist across the primary studies.
Cited by
- supports Beta-alanine does not provide significant benefits for maximal strength, speed, power, or long-duration endurance.