Investigating the effect of a topical carnosine gel on 1,500 m rowing performance in experienced club-level rowers

Abstract

It is well established that beta-alanine supplementation increases muscle carnosine levels and, in many cases, improves high-intensity exercise performance. Recent research has shown that applying a topical carnosine gel to the skin may be an effective alternative method to increase muscle carnosine and improve high-intensity exercise performance. However, there is currently no research on the effect of topical carnosine on rowing performance.

This thesis is separated into three chapters. Chapter One is a review of the literature regarding the physiology of muscular fatigue in high-intensity exercise, the relationship between muscle typology and buffering capacity, supplement-based interventions to elevate buffering capacity, the ergogenic properties of carnosine (with particular relevance to rowing performance), and the novel use of topical carnosine to improve high-intensity exercise performance. The literature shows that an accumulation of hydrogen ions, a by-product of anaerobic glycolysis metabolism, negatively impacts muscle function, causes pain in the muscle, and decreases muscle pH, ultimately reducing exercise performance. Multiple studies found that raising the amount of intramuscular carnosine improved performance because carnosine is a pH buffer and may increase the calcium ion sensitivity within the muscle. Due to the limitations of direct carnosine ingestion, an increase in muscle carnosine is traditionally achieved via beta-alanine supplementation, which can cause small performance improvements in high-intensity exercise, such as rowing. Topical carnosine is a novel, more efficient alternative to elevate muscle carnosine; however, there is limited, conflicting evidence of its effect on high-intensity exercise performance, thus, more research is needed.

Chapter Two investigated the effect of a topical carnosine gel on 1,500 m rowing ergometer time trial (TT) performance. Thirteen club-level rowers (11 male, 2 female) were randomly allocated into Group A or B, from which a crossover design was used to measure the effect of the intervention. In a double-blind fashion, participants applied 15 mL of a topical carnosine gel (CAR) or an ultrasound placebo gel (PLA) to their back and limb muscles 45 minutes before each TT, which were separated by one week. The paired dependent t-test and Cohen’s effect sizes found that topical carnosine had a trivial, non-significant effect on TT performance (CAR 300.5 ± 23.1 s; PLA 300.4 ± 24.2 s, p = 0.945, d = 0.004), 500 m split times 500 m (p = 0.808, d = 0.009; 1000 m p = 0.830, d = 0.011; 1500 m p = 0.849, d = 0.020), and rated perceived exertion (p = 1.000, d = 0.000). These results suggest that topical carnosine does not affect 1,500 m rowing performance. After the intervention was deemed ineffective, the reliability of the 1,500 m TT was calculated using Trial 1 vs Trial 2 (Trial 1: 301 ± 23.8 s, Trial 2: 300.0 ± 24.0 s; p =0.114; d = 0.074; trivial effect size; TE = 2.8 s; ICC = 0.985). The reliability statistics suggest that the 1,500 m TT performed on a Concept 2 rowing ergometer is a reliable measure of rowing performance.

Chapter Three summarises the findings from Chapter Two, identifies the strengths and weaknesses of our research, and provides recommendations for future research. Overall, this thesis identified gaps in the literature regarding carnosine and high-intensity exercise, and found links between papers on muscle typology, buffer capacity, beta-alanine, and topical carnosine that can be used to develop rationales for future research. It was clear that, under the conditions tested in this experimental protocol, topical carnosine does not affect performance in the 1,500 m rowing ergometer TT in experienced club-level rowers.