Betaine Effect in Speed-strength Athletes

Poznan University of Life Sciences

Status and phase: Unknown; Phase 3; Phase 2

Conditions: Supplementation; Sport

Treatments: Dietary Supplement: Placebo treatment; Dietary Supplement: Betaine supplementation

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03702205

ULS00005

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Full description

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.

Enrollment: 80 estimated patients

Sex: Male

Ages: 18 to 35 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

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.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: Triple Blind

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80 participants in 2 patient groups

Betaine supplementation

Experimental group

Description:

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).

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Placebo treatment

Dietary Supplement: Betaine supplementation

Placebo treatment

Experimental group

Description:

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).

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Placebo treatment

Dietary Supplement: Betaine supplementation