Exercise-Induced Lactic Acidemia
Conditions
Brief 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.
Detailed 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.
Interventions
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTBeta-alanine
Beta-alanine
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTMaltodextrin
Maltodextrin
Sponsors
University of Saskatchewan
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
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
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change from baseline in time to perform a Fran CrossFit workout | Baseline, 3 weeks | This involves alternating sets of dumbbell thrusters and pull-uips |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change from baseline in respiratory exchange ratio | Baseline, 3 weeks | Respiratory exchange ratio (carbon dioxide exhaled relative to oxygen consumed) during the performance test |
Countries
Canada
Outcome results
None listed