Betaine as an ergogenic aid to improve muscle fatigue in physical exercise: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials

Authors

  • Larissa Torres Fernandes Programa de Pós-Gradução em Ciências Aplicadas à Saúde da Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora Campus Governador Valadares https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6404-4462
  • Deysimara de Cássia Santos Post-Graduate Program in Health Applied Sciences, Federal University of Juiz de Fora Campus of Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7472-9222
  • Lucas Teixeira Marques Post-Graduate Program in Health Applied Sciences, Federal University of Juiz de Fora Campus of Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
  • Danielle Negri Ferreira Neves Post-Graduate Program in Health Applied Sciences, Federal University of Juiz de Fora Campus of Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0009-0004-6910-9175
  • Otávio de Toledo Nóbrega Post-Graduate Program in Health Applied Sciences, Federal University of Juiz de Fora Campus of Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1775-7176
  • Mariana de Melo Cazal Post-Graduate Program in Health Applied Sciences, Federal University of Juiz de Fora Campus of Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6357-5600
  • Carina Carvalho Silvestre Post-Graduate Program in Health Applied Sciences, Federal University of Juiz de Fora Campus of Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
  • Ciro José Brito Post-Graduate Program in Health Applied Sciences, Federal University of Juiz de Fora Campus of Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9678-1977

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v62.108391

Keywords:

Betaine, Muscle fatigue, Exercise, Randomized controlled trial, Systematic review

Abstract

Objectives: This systematic review aims to investigate the influence of betaine supplementation on muscle fatigue during exercise. Methodology: To this end, the PRISMA guidelines were adopted and the study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023469111). Searches were conducted using specific keywords according to the PICOS strategy on March 12, 2024, in the PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase and SCOPUS databases. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) in adults of both sexes that used betaine as a supplement, compared to placebo, to improve muscle fatigue during physical exercise were included. Animal studies and studies with concomitant use of betaine and other supplements were excluded. Muscle fatigue was assessed using the one-repetition maximum test and blood lactate during leg press or squat and bench press exercises. The risk of bias of the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane RoB2 tool and the certainty of the evidence using GRADE. Results: Five RCTs were included, in which a total of 93 participants were evaluated; all were male, with 57 individuals allocated to the intervention group with a mean age of 19.18±2.67 years, and 58 individuals in the control group with a mean age of 19.66±2.44 years. Betaine promoted more repetitions until muscle fatigue in the leg press or squat (n = 3) and bench press (n = 2), with reductions in serum lactate in two of these studies. Conclusion: Betaine can be considered as a potential ergogenic resource for improving muscle fatigue, providing a greater number of repetitions in exercises and eliminating lactate in the blood.

Author Biographies

  • Deysimara de Cássia Santos , Post-Graduate Program in Health Applied Sciences, Federal University of Juiz de Fora Campus of Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

    Nutritionist, postgraduate student in the Graduate Program in Health Applied Sciences, Federal University of Juiz de Fora – campus Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Engages in research activities in nutrition, oncology, public health, and epidemiology.

  • Lucas Teixeira Marques , Post-Graduate Program in Health Applied Sciences, Federal University of Juiz de Fora Campus of Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

    Physical Education Professional, postgraduate student in the Graduate Program in Health Applied Sciences, Federal University of Juiz de Fora – campus Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Engages in research activities in sports nutrition and physical training.

  • Danielle Negri Ferreira Neves, Post-Graduate Program in Health Applied Sciences, Federal University of Juiz de Fora Campus of Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

    Nutritionist, postgraduate student in the Graduate Program in Health Applied Sciences, Federal University of Juiz de Fora – campus Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Engages in research activities in nutrition, cardiorespiratory capacity, and diabetes mellitus.

  • Otávio de Toledo Nóbrega , Post-Graduate Program in Health Applied Sciences, Federal University of Juiz de Fora Campus of Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

    Post-PhD in Biotechnology from University of São Paulo (Brazil) and Post-PhD in Biotechnology from McGill University (Canada); associate teacher at the University of Brasília; supervisor (master's and doctoral) in the Graduate Programs in Medical Sciences and Health Sciences, University of Brasilia, Darcy Ribeiro University Campus, DF, Brazil; collaborator in the Graduate Program in Gerontology, Catholic University of Brasília, DF, Brazil; associate researcher at the Research Centre of the Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal and the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Canada. Engages in research activities in biotechnology, human genetics, immunology, pathology, and epidemiology applied to the field of geriatrics/gerontology.

  • Mariana de Melo Cazal , Post-Graduate Program in Health Applied Sciences, Federal University of Juiz de Fora Campus of Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

    PhD in Food Science and Technology, Federal University of Viçosa, Brazil, adjunct teacher in the Department of Nutrition, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Governador Valadares Campus, Minas Gerais, Brazil, co-supervisor in the Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Governador Valadares Campus, MG, Brazil. Engages in research activities in nutrition and food science, as well as nutrition applied to sports.

     

  • Carina Carvalho Silvestre , Post-Graduate Program in Health Applied Sciences, Federal University of Juiz de Fora Campus of Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

    PhD in Health Sciences, Federal University of Sergipe, Brazil, adjunct teacher at the Department of Pharmacy at the Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Governador Valadares Campus, Minas Gerais, Brazil; teaching collaborator and co-supervisor in the Graduate Program in Health Sciences and Permanent faculty member of the Professional Master's Program in Family Health, both at the Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Governador Valadares Campus, MG, Brazil. Engages in research activities within the scope of Social Pharmacy with emphasis on vulnerable populations, prison health, and Indigenous peoples' health.  

  • Ciro José Brito , Post-Graduate Program in Health Applied Sciences, Federal University of Juiz de Fora Campus of Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

    Post-PhD in Physical Activity Science and Post-PhD in Biomechanics; adjunct teacher at the Department of Physical Education at the Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Governador Valadares Campus, Minas Gerais, Brazil; supervisor (master's and doctoral) in the Graduate Program in Physical Education at the Federal University of Viçosa / Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil; supervisor (master's) in the Graduate Program in Health Applied Sciences, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Governador Valadares Campus, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Engages in research activities in sports nutrition, combat sports, biomechanics, and training assessment. In the present study, this author contributed with conception, design, analysis, interpretation of data, drafting of the article and final approval of the version to be published.

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Published

01-01-2025

Issue

Vol. 62 (2025)

Section

Theoretical systematic reviews and/or meta-analysis

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How to Cite

Torres Fernandes, L., de Cássia Santos , D. ., Teixeira Marques , L. ., Ferreira Neves, D. N. ., de Toledo Nóbrega , O. ., de Melo Cazal , . M. ., Carvalho Silvestre , C. ., & José Brito , C. . (2025). Betaine as an ergogenic aid to improve muscle fatigue in physical exercise: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials. Retos, 62, 341-349. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v62.108391