Improvement after a supplement is not the same as a comparative result
Start with the comparison. A before-and-after change alone cannot isolate the contribution of an ingredient.
Beta-Alanine
Exercise performance
Human studies reported between-group improvement in 2,000-m rowing performance.
Single-ingredient studies · Human studies · between-group comparison
Publications for this result: 1
Other outcomes and study details
Distinct publications linked to this topic: 32
- Route, form, dose, or population details are incomplete, so the findings cannot be confirmed as directly comparable.
What has been studied?
Distinct human comparison papers: 9
Some studies tested several ingredients together. Those results cannot show this ingredient’s separate effect or establish synergy.
2,000-m rowing performance
- Comparison result:A better result than the comparison group was reported.General population · Single ingredient · After 28 and 30 days
Measurement and study conditions
- Controlled human study
- Randomized trial
- Single ingredient
- General population
- Primary outcome
- Between-group comparison
- Timepoint: After 28 and 30 days
- Study comparison: Chronic beta-alanine versus placebo in the 2,000-m rowing time trial.
average peak torque
- Comparison result:A better result than the comparison group was reported.General population · Single ingredient · After 28 days
Measurement and study conditions
- Controlled human study
- Randomized trial
- Single ingredient
- General population
- Secondary outcome
- Between-group comparison
- Timepoint: After 28 days
- Study comparison: Beta-alanine versus placebo.
average power at 1RM
- Comparison result:A better result than the comparison group was reported.Single ingredient
Measurement and study conditions
- Controlled human study
- Randomized trial
- Single ingredient
- Unspecified population
- Outcome role not specified
- Between-group comparison
- Timepoint: unspecified
- Study comparison: unspecified
average power output
- Comparison result:No clear difference from the comparison group was found.General population · Single ingredient · after 4 weeks
Measurement and study conditions
- Controlled human study
- Randomized trial
- Single ingredient
- General population
- Outcome role not specified
- Between-group comparison
- Timepoint: after 4 weeks
- Study comparison: beta-alanine versus placebo on 4-minute cycling time-trial average power
Other measured outcomes (8)
CMJ power
- Comparison result:A better result than the comparison group was reported.General population · Single ingredient · 5 weeks
Measurement and study conditions
- Other evidence
- Clinical trial
- Single ingredient
- General population
- Primary outcome
- Between-group comparison
- Timepoint: 5 weeks
- Study comparison: beta-alanine versus placebo
exercise capacity
Research with unclear study subject or type
- A change was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.General population · Single ingredient
Measurement and study conditions
- Review
- Systematic review
- Single ingredient
- General population
- Outcome role not specified
- Study subject not identified
- Timepoint: mean intervention duration 11.7 ± 1.0 weeks
- Study comparison: reviewed beta-alanine protocols; no explicit common comparator
PW(CFT)
- Comparison result:A better result than the comparison group was reported.General population · Combination study · 12 weeks
Measurement and study conditions
- Controlled human study
- Randomized trial
- Ingredient combination
- General population
- Primary outcome
- Between-group comparison
- Timepoint: 12 weeks
- Study comparison: ONS+beta-alanine dose groups vs ONS alone
race times
- Comparison result:A better result than the comparison group was reported.General population · Single ingredient · After 28 days of supplementation
Measurement and study conditions
- Controlled human study
- Randomized trial
- Single ingredient
- General population
- Primary outcome
- Between-group comparison
- Timepoint: After 28 days of supplementation
- Study comparison: Beta-alanine versus placebo; within-arm pre/post times also reported
Repeat sprint performance
- Comparison result:No clear difference from the comparison group was found.Single ingredient
Measurement and study conditions
- Other evidence
- Clinical trial
- Single ingredient
- Unspecified population
- Outcome role not specified
- Between-group comparison
- Timepoint: unspecified
- Study comparison: unspecified
Sprint endurance
- Comparison result:No clear difference from the comparison group was found.Single ingredient
Measurement and study conditions
- Controlled human study
- Randomized trial
- Single ingredient
- Unspecified population
- Outcome role not specified
- Between-group comparison
- Timepoint: unspecified
- Study comparison: unspecified
Time-to-exhaustion during the isometric endurance test
Other human research, including observational studies and reviews
- A change was reported before and after use. Its cause cannot be isolated.General population · Single ingredient · after 4 weeks
Measurement and study conditions
- Controlled human study
- Randomized trial
- Single ingredient
- General population
- Secondary outcome
- Within-group comparison
- Timepoint: after 4 weeks
- Study comparison: within-BA-group change from baseline; placebo unchanged
total work performed during the final third of the assessment
- Comparison result:A better result than the comparison group was reported.General population · Single ingredient · After 28 days
Measurement and study conditions
- Controlled human study
- Randomized trial
- Single ingredient
- General population
- Secondary outcome
- Between-group comparison
- Timepoint: After 28 days
- Study comparison: Beta-alanine versus placebo.
This result is held for interpretation. That does not mean research found no effect.
Outcome groups needing additional review (14)
- competition performance · Distinct papers needing additional review: 1Direction unclear: 1
- endurance · Distinct papers needing additional review: 1Evidence criteria check: 1
- exercise performance · Distinct papers needing additional review: 2Evidence criteria check: 2
- High-intensity intermittent exercise performance · Distinct papers needing additional review: 1Evidence criteria check: 1
- LDT · Distinct papers needing additional review: 1Evidence criteria check: 1
- LTT · Distinct papers needing additional review: 1Evidence criteria check: 1
- number of moves · Distinct papers needing additional review: 1Evidence criteria check: 1
- peak power during WAnT1 · Distinct papers needing additional review: 1Evidence criteria check: 1
- Sprint performance · Distinct papers needing additional review: 1Evidence criteria check: 1
- time to failure · Distinct papers needing additional review: 1Evidence criteria check: 1
- total number of "slaps" · Distinct papers needing additional review: 1Evidence criteria check: 1
- TTT · Distinct papers needing additional review: 1Evidence criteria check: 1
- Vertical jump performance · Distinct papers needing additional review: 1Evidence criteria check: 1
- Yo-Yo test · Distinct papers needing additional review: 1Evidence criteria check: 1
One paper can appear under multiple measured outcomes or review reasons, so these counts should not be added together.
Research topics to explore
Research topics to explore
Review findings reported in each research area.
Topics with more linked papers appear first.
- View selected result
Exercise performance
Related papers 32 · human comparison papers 9
- View results
Fatigue and energy
Related papers 3 · human comparison papers 1
- subjective feelings of fatigue · Improvement reported
- PWCFT · Interpretation held
- View results
Glucose and metabolic health
Related papers 1 · comparison findings need further review
- Fasting Blood Glucose · Finding details are limited
Data coverage and detailed study classifications
Paper counts are separated by research topic below. One paper may contribute to multiple findings.
Analysis status: Public-ready
Ingredient analysis date:
How the grade was determined: A
The 84.3 evidence score includes 23 independent human studies and 22 clinical studies in the representative benefit area. The A tier reflects evidence directness, repetition, and consistency together.
The grade is based mainly on the research area with the most evidence. It does not mean the same result was found in other areas.
Papers linked to this ingredient overall: 77
Papers linked to this topic 32 · distinct papers 32 · papers with a confirmed human comparison 9 · papers needing additional review 21
Ingredient-wide papers, topic-linked papers, and sources in outcome groups use different scopes. Adding source counts may count the same paper more than once.
- 2,000-m rowing performance: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 1
- average peak torque: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 1
- average power at 1RM: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 1
- average power output: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 1
- CMJ power: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 1
- competition performance: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
- endurance: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
- exercise capacity: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
- exercise performance: Sources represented in this measurement group: 2 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
- High-intensity intermittent exercise performance: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
- LDT: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
- LTT: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
- number of moves: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
- peak power during WAnT1: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
- PW(CFT): Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 1
- race times: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 1
- Repeat sprint performance: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 1
- Sprint endurance: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 1
- Sprint performance: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
- time to failure: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
- Time-to-exhaustion during the isometric endurance test: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
- total number of "slaps": Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
- total work performed during the final third of the assessment: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 1
- TTT: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
- Vertical jump performance: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
- Yo-Yo test: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
Exercise performance
What the research found
average power output
No clear difference in this measurement was found between the compared groups.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · General population
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Sprint endurance
No clear difference in this measurement was found between the compared groups.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · Unspecified population
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
2,000-m rowing performance
The study reported improvement in this measurement.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · General population
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
average peak torque
The study reported improvement in this measurement.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · General population
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
average power at 1RM
The study reported improvement in this measurement.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · Unspecified population
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
PW(CFT)
The study reported improvement in this measurement.
Controlled study in people · Ingredient combination · General population
Several ingredients were used together. This does not establish the effect of this ingredient alone or synergy.
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
race times
The study reported improvement in this measurement.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · General population
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Time-to-exhaustion during the isometric endurance test
A change was reported before and after use. Its cause cannot be isolated.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · General population
Within-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
total work performed during the final third of the assessment
The study reported improvement in this measurement.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · General population
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
CMJ power
The study reported improvement in this measurement.
Other evidence · Single ingredient · General population
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Repeat sprint performance
No clear difference in this measurement was found between the compared groups.
Other evidence · Single ingredient · Unspecified population
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
exercise capacity
A change was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.
Review · Single ingredient · General population
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
competition performance
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · General population
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
endurance
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Controlled study in people · Ingredient combination · General population
Several ingredients were used together. This does not establish the effect of this ingredient alone or synergy.
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
exercise performance
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Meta-analysis · Single ingredient · General population
The comparison could not be confirmed.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
exercise performance
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Review · Single ingredient · Unspecified population
The comparison could not be confirmed.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
High-intensity intermittent exercise performance
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Review · Single ingredient · Unspecified population
The comparison could not be confirmed.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
LDT
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Meta-analysis · Single ingredient · General population
The comparison could not be confirmed.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
LTT
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Meta-analysis · Single ingredient · General population
The comparison could not be confirmed.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
number of moves
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · Patient group
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
peak power during WAnT1
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Controlled study in people · Unknown intervention · Patient group
Within-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Sprint performance
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · Unspecified population
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
time to failure
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · Patient group
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
total number of "slaps"
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · Patient group
Within-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
TTT
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Meta-analysis · Single ingredient · General population
The comparison could not be confirmed.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Unspecified measured outcome
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · Unspecified population
The comparison could not be confirmed.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Unspecified measured outcome
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · Unspecified population
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Unspecified measured outcome
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · Unspecified population
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
4 papers · 4 measured outcomes
4 papers held from direction counts
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Unspecified measured outcome
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Meta-analysis · Single ingredient · Unspecified population
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Unspecified measured outcome
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Other evidence · Single ingredient · Unspecified population
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Unspecified measured outcome
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Review · Single ingredient · Unspecified population
The comparison could not be confirmed.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Unspecified measured outcome
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Meta-analysis · Unknown intervention · Unspecified population
The comparison could not be confirmed.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Vertical jump performance
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Controlled study in people · Ingredient combination · General population
Several ingredients were used together. This does not establish the effect of this ingredient alone or synergy.
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Yo-Yo test
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Meta-analysis · Single ingredient · General population
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Fatigue and energy
What the research found
subjective feelings of fatigue
The study reported improvement in this measurement.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · General population
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
PWCFT
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · General population
Within-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Unspecified measured outcome
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · Unspecified population
The comparison could not be confirmed.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Glucose and metabolic health
What the research found
Fasting Blood Glucose
The study reported improvement in this measurement.
Meta-analysis · Unknown intervention · Unspecified population
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
How to read research findings
How should I read research findings?
Research guidesNo clear difference and an uninterpretable result are different
A reported null comparison contains a result. An abstract without an interpretable comparison leaves a question unresolved.
Paper counts and study counts are different
Count original research separately from research that reanalyzes it. Publication volume is neither replication nor a quality rating.
Side effects and combination findings
Findings from this ingredient alone are shown separately from those involving another supplement or medication.
Caution findings
1
Findings from individual and combined use, plus reviewed cautions
Key precautions
No reviewed caution rules are available yet. Reported caution findings are shown below.
These findings were reported in studies. They do not predict an individual's experience.
Findings to review with care
Side effects reported for the ingredient alone are separated from findings involving another supplement or medication.
Side effects reported with this ingredient alone
Symptoms or adverse events reported in studies without another active ingredient.
paraesthesia1 papers
Beta‑alanine supplementation is generally safe in healthy adults; the only reported side effect is mild paraesthesia, which can be reduced by lower divided doses or sustained‑release formulations.Human studies · Systematic review