Topical carnosine gel improves intermittent high-intensity exercise performance in world-class rugby sevens players

The topical application of a carnosine gel may increase intramuscular carnosine concentrations and thereby improve exercise performance. This study investigated the effect of a topical carnosine gel on intermittent high-intensity exercise performance in rugby sevens players.

Seven world-class rugby sevens players (body mass: 97.5 ± 4.1 kg; 1,452 International caps) completed two performance tests in a counterbalanced, crossover, triple-blind design. Players applied either 10 mL of a topical carnosine gel (CAR) or an ultrasound placebo gel (PLA) 40 minutes before undertaking 12 intermittent sprints on a cycle ergometer, interrupted by a 2-minute break after Sprint 6. The activity profile was 24 s cycling at 3 W/kg, 6 s at maximal intensity sprint, followed by a 30s rest. Average power, peak power, and HR were recorded for every 6 s sprint. RPE was recorded at the end of Sprint 6 and Sprint 12.

For peak power, two-way ANOVA revealed time (p = 5.49 × 10^-9) and treatment effects (p = 1.44 × 10^-7). Following CAR, peak power output was higher in Sprint 2 (1433 vs 1332 W; p = 0.048; d = 0.99; large), Sprint 4 (1347 vs 1244 W; p = 0.043; d = 0.74; moderate) and Sprint 7 (1426 vs 1270 W; p = 0.025; d = 0.98; large) compared to PLA. For mean power output, HR, and RPE there were time effects but no treatment effect (p = 0.211 to 0.847).

Topical carnosine gel improved power production in world-class rugby sevens players. Future research should determine whether carno- sine gels increase intramuscular carnosine concentrations to support the observed improvements in anaerobic performance during high-intensity exercise.