Abstract :
Allman BR, Biwer A, Maitland CG, DiFabio B, Coughlin E, Smith-Ryan AE, Ormsbee MJ. The Effect of Short Term Beta Alanine Supplementation on Physical Performance and Quality of Life in Parkinson's Disease: A Pilot Study. JEP online 2018;21(1):1-13. Individuals with Parkinson's Disease (PD) experience impairments in muscular fatigue and performance, and consequently low quality of life (QOL). Beta-alanine (BA) supplementation has been shown to attenuate similar motor impairments and improve performance in athletic and aging populations; however, the effect of BA in PD is unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of BA supplementation on performance and QOL in PD. Nineteen participants with PD were stratified by leg strength and randomly assigned to consume 4.8 g x [d.sup.-1] of either slow-release CarnoSyn[R] BA (BA; n=9) or a maltodextrin placebo (PL; n=10) for 4 wks. Pre- and post-measures of maximal and anaerobic power, functional exercise capacity, muscular performance, and QOL were made. There were no significant differences between groups in any of the variables. Thus, 4 wks of BA supplementation did not improve physical performance or QOL measures in patients with PD. Key Words: Muscle, Neurological, Performance, Supplement