NCT07092930

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

Evaluation of the Synergistic Effect of β-alanine and Sodium Bicarbonate Supplementation on Physical Capacity and Blood Biochemical Markers Concentrations in Trained Female Basketball Players

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: Phase 3
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 100 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Poznan University of Physical Education · Academic / Other
• Sex: Female
• Age: 16 Years – 40 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

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.

Detailed 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.

Conditions

• Supplementation
• Sports
• Female Athletes

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT	BA and SB supplementation	Assigned Interventions: * Beta-alanine (BA) * Sodium bicarbonate (SB) Description: • Participants receive beta-alanine and sodium bicarbonate Intervention list \& supplementation details: 1. Beta-alanine (BA) * Form: Gelatin capsules * Substance: Pure beta-alanine * Daily dose: 6.4 g/day * Dosing schedule: Four equal servings taken with meals (breakfast, lunch, snack, dinner) * Supplementation period: days 1 to 28 2. Sodium bicarbonate (SB) * Form: Gelatin capsules * Substance: Pure sodium bicarbonate * Daily dose: 0.3 g/kg body mass per day * Dosing schedule: Three equal servings taken with meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) * Supplementation period: days 21 to 28 of BA or PL1 supplementation Rationale: • This group tests the combined effects of BA and SB
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT	BA and PL2 supplementation	Participants in this intervention group will undergo chronic supplementation with beta-alanine (BA) and an inert placebo (PL2) matched to the sodium bicarbonate (SB) protocol. * Beta-alanine (pure, in gelatin capsules) will be administered at a total daily dose of 6.4 g, divided into four servings taken with meals, over a period of 28 consecutive days. * PL2 (placebo matched to SB, in gelatin capsules) will be administered from Day 21 to Day 28 of beta-alanine supplementation, at a daily dose of 0.3 g per kg of body mass, divided into three equal servings taken with meals. This group allows for evaluation of the isolated effects of BA supplementation when combined with a placebo comparator to SB
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT	PL1 and SB supplementation	Assigned Interventions: * Placebo matched to BA (PL1) * Sodium bicarbonate (SB) Description: • Participants receive only sodium bicarbonate as the active compound and placebo capsules matching the BA protocol. Intervention list \& supplementation details: 1. Placebo matched to BA (PL1) * Form: Gelatin capsules * Substance: Inert substance matched in appearance and dosing schedule to BA * Daily dose: 6.4 g/day * Dosing schedule: Four equal servings taken with meals (breakfast, lunch, snack, dinner) * Supplementation period: days 1 to 28 2. Sodium bicarbonate (SB) * Form: Gelatin capsules * Substance: Pure sodium bicarbonate * Daily dose: 0.3 g/kg body mass per day * Dosing schedule: Three equal servings taken with meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) * Supplementation period: days 21 to 28 of BA or PL1 supplementation Rationale: • This group tests the isolated effects of SB
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT	PL1 and PL2 supplementation	Assigned Interventions: * Placebo matched to BA (PL1) * Placebo matched to SB (PL2) Description: • Participants receive two matched placebos. Intervention list \& supplementation details: 1. Placebo matched to BA (PL1) * Form: Gelatin capsules * Substance: Inert substance matched in appearance and dosing schedule to BA * Daily dose: 6.4 g/day * Dosing schedule: Four equal servings taken with meals (breakfast, lunch, snack, dinner) * Supplementation period: days 1 to 28 2. Placebo matched to SB (PL2) * Form: Gelatin capsules * Substance: Inert substance matched in appearance and timing to SB * Daily dose: 0.3 g/kg body mass per day * Dosing schedule: Three equal servings taken with meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) * Supplementation period: days 21 to 28 of BA or PL1 supplementation Rationale: • This serves as the control group for comparison with all active intervention arms.

Timeline

• Start date: 2023-10-01
• Primary completion: 2025-12-01
• Completion: 2025-12-01
• First posted: 2025-07-30
• Last updated: 2025-07-30

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Poland