Effects of carnosine supplementation on physical endurance: a placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial.

O'Toole TE, Wingard CJ, Bariess SK, Crandell CE, Amraotkar AR, Gao H, Bhatnagar A

Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition17 Jun 2026

PMID42308284PMCIDPMC13276806DOI10.1080/15502783.2026.2679716PepBankPUB-42308284

Summary

BackgroundCarnosine (β-alanine-L-histidine) is an endogenous dipeptide found in abundance in highly metabolic tissues such as skeletal muscle and the brain, where it is thought to play a role in intracellular buffering, and thereby, promote anaerobic glycolysis. Due to its perceived ability to support muscle energetics, carnosine, and its precursor, β-alanine, have found widespread use as performance-enhancing supplements. Nevertheless, the utility and efficacy of carnosine in enhancing physical performance have not been rigorously evaluated.MethodsWe conducted a placebo-controlled clinical trial in which 299 participants were randomized to consume either placebo or carnosine-containing capsules (2 g per day). Several assessments of physical performance (hand grip strength, bilateral calf raise, 2-min step test, gait speed) were measured before initiating supplementation (Baseline: Visit-2) and after approximately 6 week (Visit-3) and 12 week (Visit-4) of supplementation. At each clinical visit, blood and urine were also collected. For Visit-3 and Visit-4, absolute changes and percent changes from baseline were calculated for each physical function measurement.ResultsAt Visit-3 we observed a statistically significant (p = 0.018) increase in the calf raise measure (number of bi-lateral flexions to exhaustion) for those in the carnosine supplementation group younger than 40 years of age. At Visit-4 we observed a statistically significant (p = 0.010) increase in the number of steps for males in the carnosine supplementation group greater than 40 years age and a trend toward significance (p = 0.06) for all males taking carnosine. No significant (p < 0.05) differences were observed in the carnosine versus placebo supplementation groups for any other physical performance measure.ConclusionsIn select age groups, carnosine supplementation improves muscular and cardiorespiratory endurance but not grip strength. The benefits appeared to be limited to males. Carnosine supplementation is likely to have beneficial effects in those undertaking short-term repetitive movements.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study4

4 results from studies that gave the peptide. 4 results from people.

01HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In trial participants, other physical performance measures did not differ significantly between carnosine and placebo.
In plain wordsIn trial participants, other physical performance measures did not differ significantly between carnosine and placebo.
Peptide
L-carnosine
Outcome
No significant changeOther physical performance measures
Study
n = 299
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Exercise and physical function · Musculoskeletal
Studied dose
2 g per dayAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
No significant (p < 0.05) differences were observed in the carnosine versus placebo supplementation groups for any other physical performance measure.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We conducted a placebo-controlled clinical trial in which 299 participants were randomized to consume either placebo or carnosine-containing capsules (2 g per day).
Summary · context
Several assessments of physical performance (hand grip strength, bilateral calf raise, 2-min step test, gait speed) were measured before initiating supplementation (Baseline: Visit-2) and after approximately 6 week (Visit-3) and 12 week (Visit-4) of supplementation.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4230828404
02HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In participants younger than 40 years, carnosine increased calf raises compared with placebo at Visit-3.
In plain wordsIn participants younger than 40 years, carnosine increased calf raises compared with placebo at Visit-3.
Peptide
L-carnosine
Outcome
IncreaseCalf raise in participants younger than 40
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Exercise and physical function · Musculoskeletal
Studied dose
2 g per day · approximately 6 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
At Visit-3 we observed a statistically significant (p = 0.018) increase in the calf raise measure (number of bi-lateral flexions to exhaustion) for those in the carnosine supplementation group younger than 40 years of age.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We conducted a placebo-controlled clinical trial in which 299 participants were randomized to consume either placebo or carnosine-containing capsules (2 g per day).
Summary · context
Several assessments of physical performance (hand grip strength, bilateral calf raise, 2-min step test, gait speed) were measured before initiating supplementation (Baseline: Visit-2) and after approximately 6 week (Visit-3) and 12 week (Visit-4) of supplementation.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4230828401
03HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In males older than 40 years, carnosine increased step counts compared with placebo at Visit-4.
In plain wordsIn males older than 40 years, carnosine increased step counts compared with placebo at Visit-4.
Peptide
L-carnosine
Outcome
IncreaseStep count in males older than 40
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Exercise and physical function · Musculoskeletal
Studied dose
2 g per day · approximately 12 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
At Visit-4 we observed a statistically significant (p = 0.010) increase in the number of steps for males in the carnosine supplementation group greater than 40 years age and a trend toward significance (p = 0.06) for all males taking carnosine.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We conducted a placebo-controlled clinical trial in which 299 participants were randomized to consume either placebo or carnosine-containing capsules (2 g per day).
Summary · context
Several assessments of physical performance (hand grip strength, bilateral calf raise, 2-min step test, gait speed) were measured before initiating supplementation (Baseline: Visit-2) and after approximately 6 week (Visit-3) and 12 week (Visit-4) of supplementation.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4230828402
04HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
At Visit-4, step counts in all males taking carnosine showed a trend toward significance versus placebo (p = 0.06).
In plain wordsIn all males, step counts showed a trend toward significance with carnosine versus placebo at Visit-4.
Peptide
L-carnosine
Outcome
No significant changeStep count in all males
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Exercise and physical function · Musculoskeletal
Studied dose
2 g per day · approximately 12 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
At Visit-4 we observed a statistically significant (p = 0.010) increase in the number of steps for males in the carnosine supplementation group greater than 40 years age and a trend toward significance (p = 0.06) for all males taking carnosine.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We conducted a placebo-controlled clinical trial in which 299 participants were randomized to consume either placebo or carnosine-containing capsules (2 g per day).
Summary · context
Several assessments of physical performance (hand grip strength, bilateral calf raise, 2-min step test, gait speed) were measured before initiating supplementation (Baseline: Visit-2) and after approximately 6 week (Visit-3) and 12 week (Visit-4) of supplementation.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4230828403

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 2Current
27 Oct 2026, 18:20 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
27 Oct 2026, 16:32 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

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