The Effects of Beta-Alanine Supplementation on Mechanical Performance, Acid-Base Balance, Oxidati… (NCT07650162) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
The Effects of Beta-Alanine Supplementation on Mechanical Performance, Acid-Base Balance, Oxidative Stress, and Enzymatic Antioxidant Defence During Repeated Wingate Anaerobic Tests Under Normoxic and Hypoxic Conditions
Poland38 participantsStarted 2019-11-20
Plain-language summary
Beta-alanine is a dietary supplement that increases skeletal muscle carnosine concentration and may enhance the muscle's ability to buffer hydrogen ions produced during high-intensity exercise. This buffering effect could potentially delay fatigue and improve exercise performance, particularly under conditions that increase metabolic stress, such as hypoxia. However, previous studies examining the effects of beta-alanine supplementation on repeated sprint performance under hypoxic conditions have produced inconsistent findings.
The purpose of this study is to determine whether four weeks of beta-alanine supplementation improves repeated high-intensity cycling performance and influences markers of acid-base balance in trained male cyclists exercising under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Participants will perform repeated Wingate anaerobic cycling tests before and after a four-week supplementation period with either beta-alanine or placebo.
Mechanical performance outcomes, including peak power, mean power, total work, and fatigue indices, will be assessed alongside physiological measures of metabolic stress, including blood lactate concentration, pH, bicarbonate concentration, and base excess. Performance and physiological responses will be compared between supplementation groups and environmental conditions.
The findings of this study may contribute to a better understanding of the ergogenic potential of beta-alanine supplementation during repeated high-intensity exercise and provide practical information for athletes and practitioners regarding the effectiveness of beta-alanine under conditions of reduced oxygen availability.
Who can participate
Age range
20 Years – 50 Years
Sex
MALE
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Healthy male participants aged 20-50 years
* Regularly riding a bike (min. 5000 km on the bike in the last year)
* Willingness to maintain habitual dietary and physical activity patterns throughout the study.
* Willingness to refrain from consuming dietary supplements other than those provided as part of the study.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Prevalence of chronic diseases
* β-alanine supplementation within the previous six months
* Use of other dietary supplements, except carbohydrate and whey protein supplements
* Adherence to a vegetarian or vegan diet
* Participation in another clinical trial within the previous 3 months.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1This trial used beta-alanine supplements to study performance and acid-base balance during very intense cycling — are there any known risks of beta-alanine supplementation that would be relevant to my health situation?
2The study tested participants under both normal oxygen conditions and low-oxygen (hypoxic) conditions during repeated all-out cycling efforts — given my current health, is it safe for me to take part in that kind of high-intensity exercise testing?
3Since this trial is already completed and only measured outcomes like mean power output and oxidative stress markers in healthy adult males, how relevant do you think its findings would be to my own circumstances?
4Beta-alanine is often sold as a sports supplement without a prescription — before I consider taking it on my own based on research like this, what does my doctor think about whether it would be appropriate or safe for me specifically?
5This study focused on healthy adult male cyclists, so if I don't fit that profile exactly, should I be looking at different research or a different approach to whatever goal I'm trying to achieve?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Mean Power (W)
Timeframe: 4 weeks
Trial details
NCT IDNCT07650162
SponsorThe Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice