Background and purpose Plyometric training and ß-alanine supplementation are common among athletes, although its mixed-use had never been investigated in handball players. Thus, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed to investigate the impacts of a plyometric training regimen with or without ß-alanine supplementation on anaerobic performance and carnosine levels in male handball players. Methods Eighteen male handball players were allocated to either a plyometric training group receiving placebo (placebo, n = 9; 24.33 ± 5.12 years) and a plyometric training group receiving ß-alanine (ß-alanine, n = 9; 18.89 ± 2.14 years) supplementation. Participants were evaluated for anaerobic power, serum level of carnosine, and blood lactate before and after a 4-week intervention. Results Average power and peak power were increased more after ß-alanine ingestion than after placebo (10.4 and 9.1% versus -1.7 and -6.8%, respectively). Fatigue index was significantly decreased by 26.2% in the placebo group, with no significant change in the ß-alanine group (+ 10.6%). The serum level of carnosine in both groups was significantly increased compared with pre-intervention. It was increased more after ß-alanine supplementation than placebo (61.8 versus 43.6%). Conclusion It was concluded that ß-alanine consumption during plyometric training might add further adaptive changes related to anaerobic power and carnosine levels.
© Copyright 2021 Sport Sciences for Health. Springer. All rights reserved.