Statistical methods All results were analysed with SPSS-statistics program (PASW statistics

17). Means ± SDs A-1155463 were calculated and the Wilcoxon Sepantronium in vitro Signed Rank Test was used to evaluate the differences between the means. A nonparametric test was chosen because the data was not normally distributed tested with the Shapiro-Wilk test. Statistical comparisons were considered significant when p values were < 0.05. Results Subjects reported no side effects related to SB intake, but symptoms of paraesthesia was experienced by all subjects consuming BA. Swimming times There were no significant differences in the time of the first 100-m sprint between the groups. In the second 100-m swim, the increase in time of the second

versus the first 100-m swimming time was 1.5 s less (p < 0.05) in the SB group compared to the PL group (Figure 2). No significant differences were noted between the first or second sprint in either BA + SB or BA + PL. Figure 2 Swimming times (mean ± SD) in the supplemented groups. PL = placebo, SB = sodium bicarbonate, BA + PL = beta-alanine and placebo, BA + SB = beta-alanine and sodium bicarbonate, *Indicates a significant see more difference (p < 0.05) compared to PL. Blood variables Lactate, pH There were no significant differences between the groups although lactates in measurements III and IV tended (p < 0.08-0.09) to be greater in SB supplemented groups (Figure 3A). Blood pH values (Figure 3B) were significantly (p <

0.05) greater in the SB and in the BA + SB combination group 2 min before the first swim and in all measurement points following swimming compared to the PL measurement values. Figure 3 Blood lactate and pH values (mean ± SD) in the supplemented groups in different measurement time points. A) Blood lactate (B-Lactate), B) pH (B-pH), PL = placebo, SB = sodiumbicarbonate, BA + PL = beta-alanine and placebo, BA + SB = beta-alanine and sodium bicarbonate, pre 1 = 60 min before swimming, pre 2 = 2 min before swimming the first 100 m, I and III 2 min after both 100 m swimming, II and IV 8 min after both 100 m swimming, * Indicates a significant (p < 0.05) difference Fossariinae compared to PL. Sodium, potassium Significantly (p < 0.05) greater increases in plasma sodium concentrations were observed in SB and in BA + SB at every measurement point (except pre 1) compared to the PL values. A significant decrease in sodium concentrations was seen at BA + PL compared with PL during IV (Figure 4A). Significantly (p < 0.05) smaller plasma potassium concentrations were observed in SB and in the SB + BA groups at Pre 2, II and III compared to the PL values (Figure 4B). Figure 4 Blood sodium and potassium values (mean ± SD) in the supplemented groups in different measurement time points.