Beta-alanine Supplementation and CrossFit Performance

Exercise-Induced Lactic Acidemia Clinical Trial

Official title:

Examining the Effects of 3-weeks Beta-Alanine Supplementation on CrossFit® Performance

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT05772988
• Other study ID #: 2022_23_02
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: March 15, 2023
• Est. completion date: August 31, 2023

Study information

• Verified date: May 2024
• Source: University of Saskatchewan
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

This study will randomize CrossFit participants to receive beta-alanine or placebo supplementation for 3 weeks. The study will be double-blind. Performance on the "Fran" test will be completed at baseline and after the 3 week intervention. Respiratory exchange ratio will also be assessed during the performance test at baseline and after 3 weeks.

Description:

Beta-alanine is a nutritional supplement often consumed by people involved in high-intensity sports that involve substantial lactic acidosis. If consumed on a regular basis, it improves muscle buffering capacity and exercise performance during high-intensity moderate-duration events. CrossFit involves competitions that are high in intensity and moderate duration and many elite CrossFit athletes have reported taking beta-alanine as a supplement. It has never however been evaluated in a research study for its affect on CrossFit performance. The purpose of the study is therefore to assess the effects of beta-alanine supplementation on CrossFit performance. A maximum of 30 CrossFit participants will participate in this randomized double-blind parallel groups study. Participants will be randomized to receive 6.4 g/d beta-alanine or maltodextrin placebo for 3 weeks. At baseline and after the intervention, participants will complete a "Fran" test, which involves performing sets of repeated dumbbell thrusters alternating with chin-ups. The performance measure is the time to complete the test. During the test, respiratory exchange ratio will be assessed to indirectly assess acidosis.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 12
• Est. completion date: August 31, 2023
• Est. primary completion date: August 31, 2023
• Accepts healthy volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers
• Gender: All
• Age group: 18 Years and older

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Minimum of one year of CrossFit experience and doing CrossFit training at least twice a week

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having consumed beta-alanine in the past six months

• Having changed the dose of any other nutritional supplement within the past month

• Having suffered a major physical injury in the past six months

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Exercise-Induced Lactic Acidemia

Intervention

Dietary Supplement:
• Beta-alanine
Beta-alanine
• Maltodextrin
Maltodextrin

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
Canada	University of Saskatchewan	Saskatoon	Saskatchewan

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
University of Saskatchewan

Country where clinical trial is conducted

Canada, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Change from baseline in time to perform a "Fran" CrossFit workout	This involves alternating sets of dumbbell thrusters and pull-uips	Baseline, 3 weeks
Secondary	Change from baseline in respiratory exchange ratio	Respiratory exchange ratio (carbon dioxide exhaled relative to oxygen consumed) during the performance test	Baseline, 3 weeks