Effects of β-alanine and Sodium Bicarbonate Supplementation on Physical Capacity and Biochemical Markers Concentrations

Poznan University of Physical Education

Status and phase: Enrolling; Phase 3

Conditions: Sports; Supplementation; Female Athletes

Treatments: Dietary Supplement: BA and PL2 supplementation; Dietary Supplement: PL1 and PL2 supplementation; Dietary Supplement: PL1 and SB supplementation; Dietary Supplement: BA and SB supplementation

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07092930

ZDS2025_0001

Details and patient eligibility

About

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study aims to evaluate the potential synergistic effect of beta-alanine (BA) and sodium bicarbonate (SB) supplementation, compared to their separate administration or placebo (PL), on physical performance and selected blood biochemical markers in highly trained female basketball players.

Full description

Beta-alanine (BA) and sodium bicarbonate (SB) are commonly proposed as ergogenic aids due to their potential to enhance intracellular (BA) and extracellular (SB) buffering capacities, thereby improving physical performance. However, there is a lack of evidence regarding their potential synergistic effects, particularly in female athletes. Existing studies have primarily focused on male participants, despite emerging evidence suggesting sex-specific physiological responses to supplementation. Furthermore, research shows that females exhibit a high willingness to participate in scientific studies, underlining the importance of including female cohorts in sports supplementation research. To date, no randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials have examined the combined and separate effects of BA and SB using a four-arm design (BA+SB, BA+PL2, PL1+SB, PL1+ PL2). Only one study to date has focused on chronic SB supplementation, whereas the majority have used acute protocols. Additionally, there is a notable lack of data on the use of BA and SB in team sports such as basketball, where repeated high-intensity efforts are dominant. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the chronic effects of BA and SB supplementation (administered individually or in combination) on physical capacity and selected blood biochemical markers in highly trained female basketball players, using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group design.

Enrollment: 100 estimated patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 16 to 40 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• written consent to participate,
• general good health condition,
• a current medical clearance to practice sports,
• training experience: at least 4 years,
• minimum of 4 workout sessions (in the discipline covered by the study) a week.

Exclusion criteria

• current injury,
• any health-related contraindication,
• declared general feeling of being unwell,
• taking supplements, especially ergogenic supplements that modulate extra- and intracellular capacity 3 months prior to research (except taking protein and/or carbohydrate powders, isotonic drinks),
• unwilling to follow the study protocol.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Triple Blind

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100 participants in 4 patient groups, including a placebo group

BA and SB supplementation (first group)

Experimental group

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: BA and SB supplementation

BA and PL2 supplementation (second group)

Experimental group

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: BA and PL2 supplementation

PL1 and SB supplementation (third group)

Experimental group

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: PL1 and SB supplementation

PL1 and PL2 supplementation (fourth group)

Placebo Comparator group

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: PL1 and PL2 supplementation