It has been suggested that histidine-containing dipeptide carnosine (ß-alanyl-L-histidine), which is believed to act as a cytosolic buffering agent, is present predominantly in skeletal muscle. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of sprint training (30-s maximal cycle ergometer sprinting) on muscle carnosine concentration. Six untrained males trained 2 days per week for 8 weeks on an electronic-braked cycle ergometer. Muscle biopsy samples were taken from the vastus lateralis before and two days after the last training session and were analyzed for carnosine concentration by the use of an amino acid autoanalyzer. The carnosine concentration was signifi cantly increased after sprint training (P < 0.05). The mean power P < 0.05). The mean power during 30-s maximal cycle ergometer sprinting was signifi cantly increased following training. When dividing the 30-s sprinting into 6 phases (0-5, 6-10, 11-15, 16-20, 21-25, 26-30 s), the magnitude of increase in mean power was signifi cantly larger for the last 2 phases than the fi rst phase (P < 0.05). These results suggest that the increases in skeletal muscle carnosine < 0.05). These results suggest that the increases in skeletal muscle carnosine concentration following sprint training may be associated with the increase in sustainability of high power during 30-s maximal cycle ergometer sprinting.
© Copyright 2004 International Journal of Sport & Health Science. Japan Society of Physical Education, Health and Sport Sciences. All rights reserved.