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Int J Sports Med 2025; 46(05): 324-333
DOI: 10.1055/a-2500-5556
Training & Testing

Fourteen weeks of β-alanine supplementation and HIIT did not improve serum BDNF concentrations and Stroop test performance

Paloma Tavares Mendonça
1   Department of Physical Education, São Paulo State University – Bauru Campus, Bauru, Brazil
,
Yago Medeiros Dutra
2   Department of Physical Education, Laboratory of Physiology and Sport Performance (LAFIDE), São Paulo State University – Bauru Campus, Bauru, Brazil
,
Barbara M. Antunes
3   Physical Education, Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho – Campus de Presidente Prudente, Presidente Prudente, Brazil
,
Fabio Lira
4   Department of Physical Education, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho, Presidente Prudente, Brazil
,
Alessandro Moura Zagatto 
5   Physical Education, Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho, Bauru, Brazil
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Abstract

This study aimed to investigate whether 14 weeks of β-alanine supplementation and high-intensity intermittent training improves brain-derived neurotrophic factor concentrations and cognitive aspects related to executive functions assessed by the Stroop test. Thirteen healthy and active men underwent a 4-week supplementation period (β-alanine: 6.4 g/d or a placebo) followed by 10-week supplementation combined with high-intensity intermittent training, totaling 14 weeks of intervention. Participants underwent a graded exercise test, while the blood samples for brain-derived neurotrophic factor analysis and the Stroop test (cognitive task) were assessed before and after a high-intensity intermittent exercise (10 runs of 1:1 min effort and a pause ratio at 130% of respiratory compensation point). These measurements were performed three times across the study being at baseline, after 4 weeks of supplementation (POST4weeks) and at the end of the 14 weeks of study (POST14weeks). Compared to baseline values, there were no improvements in brain-derived neurotrophic factor concentrations or Stroop test performance with either β-alanine or high-intensity intermittent training. Lactate peak concentrations in a high-intensity intermittent exercise session also did not differ between groups. However, high-intensity intermittent training did improve some cardiorespiratory parameters (i.e., intensity associated with V̇O2max p=0.01 and respiratory compensation point, p=0.01). In conclusion, β-alanine supplementation alone or associated with high-intensity intermittent training did not improve the brain-derived neurotrophic factor concentrations and Stroop test performance in healthy men.

Keywords

carnosine - executive functions - blood lactate

Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 10 May 2024

Accepted: 09 December 2024

Article published online:
20 January 2025

© 2025. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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