Aging is associated with a significant reduction in skeletal muscle carnosine, which has been linked with a reduction in the buffering capacity of muscle and in theory, may increase the rate of fatigue during exercise. Supplementing beta-alanine has been shown to significantly increase skeletal muscle carnosine.
In a 90-day double-blind placebo controlled study of twenty-six elderly men and women (52-90 years) who were randomly assigned to either a beta-alanine or placebo group, significant increases in physical working capacity at the fatigue threshold were found for the participants in the beta-alanine group.
It was concluded that beta-alanine supplementation improves muscle endurance in the elderly, and beta-alanine supplementation could have importance in the prevention of falls, and the maintenance of health in elderly men and women.
References:
1. Jeffrey R. Stout, et al. The effect of beta-alanine supplementation on neuromuscular fatigue in elderly (55-92 Years): a double-blind randomized study. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition 2008, 5:21doi:10.1186/1550-2783-5-21.
2. Image from Growing Old Is Not for Sissies: Portraits of Senior Athletes
