Beta-alanine Supplementation and CrossFit Performance

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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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
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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.

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

Conditions
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Exercise-Induced Lactic Acidemia

Intervention / Treatment
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* Dietary Supplement: Beta-alanine
* Dietary Supplement: Maltodextrin


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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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

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

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: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Triple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Beta-alanine<br>Beta-alanine to be given for three weeks | Dietary Supplement: Beta-alanine<br>* Beta-alanine<br>|
| Placebo Comparator: Maltodextrin<br>Placebo to be given for three weeks | Dietary Supplement: Maltodextrin<br>* Maltodextrin<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 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 Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change from baseline in respiratory exchange ratio | Respiratory exchange ratio (carbon dioxide exhaled relative to oxygen consumed) during the performance test | Baseline, 3 weeks |