Betaine Effect in Speed-strength Athletes

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The study is aimed at assessing the influence of two betaine doses (2.5 g∙d-1 and 5 g∙d-1) supplemented for three weeks in a group of speed-strength trained athletes on anaerobic capacity in Wingate test, performance in CrossFit-like exercise test - Fight Gone Bad, alterations in body compositions and total body water.

Detailed Description
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The main aim of the project is the assessment of the effects of 3 weeks supplementation with two doses of betaine (2.5 g∙d-1 and 5 g∙d-1) on anaerobic capacity, CrossFit performance, body composition, and betaine metabolism in a group of male speed-strength trained athletes. The study is designed as a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover trial. 80 male participants will be divided randomly into two parallel groups: one receiving 2.5 g·d-1 betaine and the second receiving 5 g·d-1 betaine. In both experimental groups participants will receive both betaine supplement or placebo in a random order. The supplementation periods (betaine and placebo) will last for three weeks each and will be separated by a 3-week washout. The participants will attend four study meetings at the Institute of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poland. Food intake before and during the intervention will be assessed with the use of food diary and intakes of macro- and micronutrients will be calculated with the use of Dieta 5.0 software. On each visit Wingate ergocycling test will be performed, body composition will be measured and blood samples will be taken. The same day in the afternoon/evening hours the Fight Gone Bad (FGB) test will be performed. Body composition will be assessed based on air displacement plethysmography technology using the Bod Pod®. Moreover, total body water content will be analyzed by bioelectric impedance with the use of a BIA 101S analyzer. Anaerobic capacity will be assessed using the classical Wingate test on a cycloergometer. In order to assess CrossFit performance the FGB test will be performed. In blood samples the investigators plan to analyze concentrations of: lipoproteins and triglycerides (biochemical analyzer), betaine (LC-MS method), amino acid profile (LC-MS method), and testosterone (ELISA). MTHFR genotype will be analyzed with using a PCR-RFLP method. Data will be analyzed using the STATISTICA 12 software program.

Official Title
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The Effect of Betaine Supplementation on Body Composition and Physical Capacity of Speed-strength Male Athletes

Conditions
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Supplementation, Sport

Intervention / Treatment
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* Dietary Supplement: Betaine supplementation
* Dietary Supplement: Placebo treatment


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: written informed consent from all participants before the study a current medical clearance to practice sports, training experience: at least 1 year (of CrossFit ttraining), minimum of 2 workout sessions (combat sport) a week, Exclusion Criteria: current injury, any health-related contraindication, declared general feeling of being unwell, unwilling to follow the study protocol, serious disease or metabolic problems, intake of betaine, choline or creatine supplements 4 weeks before the beginning of the study.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 35 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Male

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Triple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Betaine supplementation<br>The experimental procedure for each athlete includes a 3-week betaine supplementation either 2.5 g or 5 g daily. Betaine will be administered in the form of capsules containing either 0.5 or 1 g betaine. The capsules will be ingested with at least 250 mL of water. Each athlete will ingest 5 betaine capsules a day. On training days the supplements will be taken in the morning (2 capsules), in the evening (2 capsules) and 1.5 hours before training session (1 capsule). On rest days the supplements will be taken in the morning (2 capsules), in the afternoon (1 capsule) and in the evening (2 capsules). | Dietary Supplement: Betaine supplementation<br>* Group taking oral betaine supplementation<br>Dietary Supplement: Placebo treatment<br>* Group taking oral supplementation with placebo (starch) in a similar capsule form.<br>|
| Experimental: Placebo treatment<br>The experimental procedure for each athlete included a 3-week placebo administration. Placebo will be capsules with starch. Placebo will be ingested with at least 250 mL of water. Each athlete will ingest 5 placebo capsules a day. On training days the supplements will be taken in the morning (2 capsules), in the evening (2 capsules) and 1.5 hours before training session (1 capsule). On rest days the supplements will be taken in the morning (2 capsules), in the afternoon (1 capsule) and in the evening (2 capsules). | Dietary Supplement: Betaine supplementation<br>* Group taking oral betaine supplementation<br>Dietary Supplement: Placebo treatment<br>* Group taking oral supplementation with placebo (starch) in a similar capsule form.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Changes in fat mass and fat free mass after betaine supplementation | Fat mass (kg) and fat free mass (kg) analysis | Baseline and after 3 weeks | 
| Changes in anaerobic capacity after betaine supplementation | The Wingate cycling test (W) | Baseline and after 3 weeks | 
| Changes in specific performance capacity after betaine supplementation | The CrossFit-specific physical fitness test: Fight Gone Bad (reps.) | Baseline and after 3 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Changes in total body water after betaine supplementation | Total body water content (%) | Baseline and after 3 weeks | 
| Changes in testosterone level (ng/L) after betaine supplementation | Testosterone level (ng/L) | Baseline and after 3 weeks | 
| Changes in amino acid profile after betaine supplementation | Amino acid profile (μmol/L) | Baseline and after 3 weeks | 
| Changes in blood betaine | Blood betaine (µmol/L) | Baseline and after 3 weeks | 
| Changes in total, LDL and HDL cholesterol and triacylglycerol after betaine supplementation | Total, LDL and HDL cholesterol (mg/dL) and triacylglycerol (mg/dL) | Baseline and after 3 weeks | 
| Difference in response to betaine supplementation depending on MTHFR (rs1801133) polymorphism | MTHFR (rs1801133) polymorphism | Baseline and after 3 weeks |