Purpose Cross-sectional studies suggest that training can increase muscle carnosine (MCarn), although longitudinal studies have failed to confirm this. A lack of control for dietary ß-alanine intake or muscle fiber type shifting may have hampered their conclusions. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on MCarn. Methods Twenty vegetarian men were randomly assigned to a control (CON) (n = 10) or HIIT (n = 10) group. High-intensity interval training was performed on a cycle ergometer for 12 wk, with progressive volume (6-12 series) and intensity (140%-170% lactate threshold [LT]). Muscle carnosine was quantified in whole-muscle and individual fibers; expression of selected genes (CARNS, CNDP2, ABAT, TauT, and PAT1) and muscle buffering capacity in vitro (ßmin vitro) were also determined. Exercise tests were performed to evaluate total work done, V.O2max, ventilatory thresholds (VT) and LT. Results Total work done, VT, LT, V.O2max, and ßmin vitro were improved in the HIIT group (all P < 0.05), but not in CON (P > 0.05). MCarn (in mmol/kg dry muscle) increased in the HIIT (15.8 ± 5.7 to 20.6 ± 5.3; P = 0.012) but not the CON group (14.3 ± 5.3 to 15.0 ± 4.9; P = 0.99). In type I fibers, MCarn increased in the HIIT (from 14.4 ± 5.9 to 16.8 ± 7.6; P = 0.047) but not the CON group (from 14.0 ± 5.5 to 14.9 ± 5.4; P = 0.99). In type IIa fibers, MCarn increased in the HIIT group (from 18.8 ± 6.1 to 20.5 ± 6.4; P = 0.067) but not the CON group (from 19.7 ± 4.5 to 18.8 ± 4.4; P = 0.37). No changes in gene expression were shown. Conclusions In the absence of any dietary intake of ß-alanine, HIIT increased MCarn content. The contribution of increased MCarn to the total increase in ßmin vitro appears to be small.
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