Effect of short-term beta-alanine supplementation on CGRP, muscle soreness, and perceived exertion after an eccentric/concentric resistance exercise in strength-trained men

Document Type : Research Paper I Open Access I Released under (CC BY-NC 4.0) license

Authors

1 Department of Exercise Physiology, University Campus2, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.

2 Department of Exercise Physiology, University of Guilan, P.O. Box 1438, Guilan Province, Rasht, Iran.

Abstract

Aim: High-intensity resistance exercise, particularly when emphasizing eccentric contractions, can induce muscle damage, increased pain, inflammation, and metabolic stress.

Methods: In this semi-experimental, randomized, crossover, and counterbalanced study, twenty trained young men (age: 23.17±2.48 yr, height: 173.35±5.67, weight: 71.84±4.29 kg) participated under two conditions: beta-alanine supplementation (4 mg/kg body weight for three days) and placebo. Participants completed two resistance exercise protocols, eccentric and concentric contractions with equal time ratios, separated by a two-week washout period. Serum CGRP levels were measured at four time points: baseline, pre-exercise, and 24 and 48 hours post-exercise. Muscle soreness was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS), and perceived exertion was evaluated using the RPE scale. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA.

Results: the results showed that high-intensity resistance exercise significantly increased CGRP levels at 24 and 48 hours post-exercise (p<0.05), with greater elevations observed following the eccentric protocol (p<0.05). Beta-alanine supplementation significantly reduced CGRP levels at 24 hours post-exercise compared with placebo and was also associated with lower muscle soreness and perceived exertion at 24 and 48 hours (p<0.05).

Conclusion: overall, findings suggest that eccentric contractions elicit stronger neuro-inflammatory responses due to greater mechanical stress and structural muscle damage, and short-term beta-alanine supplementation may help modulate these responses, likely through enhanced buffering capacity and reduced muscle acidosis.

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History

  • Receive Date: 19 January 2026
  • Revise Date: 08 March 2026
  • Accept Date: 09 March 2026
  • First Publish Date: 09 March 2026

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