β-alanine supplementation improves tactical performance but not cognitive function in combat soldiers

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Sports Nutrition
• Military Performance

Background:

• No prior studies investigated beta-alanine supplementation in military personnel.
• Sustained military operations can impact physical and cognitive functions.
• Beta-alanine may offer benefits for performance under stress.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of 28-day beta-alanine supplementation on military personnel.
• To assess impacts on physical and cognitive performance during fatigue.

Main Methods:

• Twenty soldiers from an elite combat unit were randomized into beta-alanine (BA) or placebo (PL) groups.
• Participants underwent advanced military training for 28 days.
• Physical tests (4-km run, jumps, sprint) and cognitive tests (shooting, serial subtraction) were performed pre- and post-supplementation.

Main Results:

• Beta-alanine supplementation significantly increased peak jump power compared to placebo.
• The beta-alanine group showed significant improvements in marksmanship and target engagement speed.
• No significant differences in 4-km run time or cognitive serial subtraction performance were observed between groups.

Conclusions:

• Four weeks of beta-alanine supplementation did not affect cognitive performance in soldiers.
• Beta-alanine supplementation enhanced power output, marksmanship accuracy, and target engagement speed.
• These findings suggest potential benefits of beta-alanine for specific military performance metrics.