EWING, NJA recently published study in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition reported two weeks of betaine supplementation (as BetaPower Natural Betaine, from Danisco)  in active, college males improved muscle endurance of the squat exercise, and increase the quality of repetitions performed (2009;6:7) (DOI:10.1186/1550-2783-6-7). Twenty-four male subjects were randomly assigned to one of two groups. The first group (BET) consumed the supplement daily, and the second group (PL) consumed a placebo. Subjects were tested prior to the onset of supplementation (T1) and seven (T2) and 14 days (T3) following supplementation. Each testing period occurred over a two-day period. During day one of testing subjects performed a vertical jump power (VJP) and a bench press throw (BPT) power test. In addition, subjects were required to perform as many repetitions as possible with 75 percent of their 1-RM in both the squat and bench press exercises. On day two of testing, subjects performed two 30-second Wingate anaerobic power tests (WAnT), each test separated by a five-minute active rest.
No differences were seen at T2 or T3 in the repetitions performed to exhaustion or in the number of repetitions performed at 90 percent of both peak and mean power between the groups in the bench press exercise. The number of repetitions performed in the squat exercise for BET was significantly greater (P<0.05) than that seen for PL at T2. The number of repetitions performed at 90 percent or greater of peak power in the squat exercise was significantly greater for BET at both T2 and T3 than PL. No differences in any power assessment (VJP, BPT, WAnT) was seen between the groups.
Lead researcher, Jay Hoffman, Ph.D., said, We really saw a higher quality workout as reflected by greater power generation in exercise repetitions in subjects that had taken the betaine supplement.
Mika Paulamaki, global business manager, Bioactives, Danisco, Finland, added: This study is one of several that Danisco has supported to determine the benefits of natural betaine on physical performance. The research results together with the previous performance studies support the use of natural betaine as a valuable ingredient for health and sports nutrition products.