Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Alpha polylactate (also known as calcium or magnesium lactate polymers) is sometimes included in sports nutrition products with claims that it can enhance exercise performance, particularly endurance, by serving as an efficient energy substrate and reducing muscle acidosis. The rationale is that lactate, when provided in a stabilized form, may be rapidly utilized by muscles as a fuel during prolonged or intense exercise, potentially sparing muscle glycogen and reducing fatigue.

Some small, industry-sponsored studies have evaluated alpha polylactate formulations (e.g., as part of commercial products like "E-Caps" or "Endurox") in athletes. A few have reported modest improvements in time-to-exhaustion or performance metrics compared to carbohydrate-only sports drinks. For example, a study by Karp et al. (2004) found slightly improved endurance performance in trained cyclists using a polylactate-based beverage versus carbohydrate alone. However, these studies tend to be limited in size, often lack rigorous blinding, and results have not been consistently replicated by independent researchers.

Major sports nutrition guidelines, such as those from the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), do not currently endorse alpha polylactate supplementation for exercise performance, citing insufficient and inconsistent evidence. Thus, while some scientific rationale and preliminary studies exist, the overall strength of the evidence is weak and does not robustly support its use.

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