Beta-Alanine Supplementation Improves Isotonic Strength Endurance Performance Without Altering Psychological Responses During Drop-Set and Bi-Set Resistance Exercises in Resistance-Trained Individuals.

Authors

Cecilia L Colini, Emerson L Teixeira, Leonardo V Andreato, Déborah C Marques, Braulio H M Branco, Vitor de Salles Painelli

Published in

Journal of strength and conditioning research. Jul 07, 2026. Epub Jul 07, 2026.

Abstract

Colini, CL, Teixeira, EL, Andreato, LV, Marques, DC, Magnani Branco, BH, and de Salles Painelli, V. Beta-alanine supplementation improves isotonic strength endurance performance without altering psychological responses during drop-set and bi-set resistance exercises in resistance-trained individuals. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2026-The ergogenic effects of beta-alanine (BA) supplementation are widely recognized, yet its effects on resistance exercises remain uncertain. It is possible that previous protocols were not sufficiently 'acidotic,' such as advanced drop-set and bi-set training systems. This study investigated whether BA supplementation improves isotonic strength endurance performance and psychological responses (perceived exertion, motivation, affect) during drop-set and bi-set protocols. In a double-blind parallel-group design, 22 young resistance-trained men and women were randomly assigned to either a BA group (6.4 g·day-1, n = 12) or a placebo (maltodextrin, n = 10). After familiarization with psychological scales, maximal strength (1-RM), and strength endurance tests, subjects' total number of repetitions and psychological responses were recorded during drop-set (three sets at 80% 1-RM, with 3 successive 20% load reductions) and bi-set (three sets at 70% 1-RM, consisting of inclined bench press followed by flat bench press) protocols before and after a 4-week supplementation period. Outcomes were analyzed using mixed models for repeated measures (p < 0.05). The total number of repetitions increased with BA in the drop-set (+17.3%, effect size [ES] = 0.74, p = 0.007) and bi-set (+18.2%, ES = 0.98, p < 0.0001) protocols, but not with placebo (respectively, -0.98%, ES = -0.06, p = 0.988; and +5.6%, ES = 0.01, p = 0.406). Perceived exertion increased across sets during drop-set and bi-set protocols (both p < 0.0001), but without between-group differences (both p > 0.05). Other psychological responses were not influenced by set, group, or time (all p > 0.05). Four weeks of BA supplementation enhanced isotonic strength endurance performance in trained individuals performing drop-set and bi-set resistance protocols, without concurrent change in psychological responses.

PMID:
42413109
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 08 Jul 2026.

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