CyclistsNCT07650162
The Effects of Beta-Alanine Supplementation on Mechanical Performance, Acid-Base Balance, Oxidative Stress, and Enzymatic Antioxidant Defence During Repeated Wingate Anaerobic Tests Under Normoxic and Hypoxic Conditions
A study testing beta-alanine, normoxic conditions and Normobaric hypoxic conditions (≈2500 m) in people with Cyclists and Healthy Adult Male, run by The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice at 1 site in Poland.
Trial summary
Beta-alanine is a dietary supplement that increases skeletal muscle carnosine concentration and may enhance the muscle's ability to buffer hydrogen ions produced during high-intensity exercise. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 20 to 50 years, men onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Cyclists, Healthy Adult Male
- What is being tested?
- beta-alanine, normoxic conditions and Normobaric hypoxic conditions (≈2500 m)
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 38 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePoland
- Study dates
- 20 Nov 2019to 1 Jun 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 20 to 50 years
- Men only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Healthy male participants aged 20-50 years
- Regularly riding a bike (min. 5000 km on the bike in the last year)
- Willingness to maintain habitual dietary and physical activity patterns throughout the study.
- Willingness to refrain from consuming dietary supplements other than those provided as part of the study.
Who cannot join
- Prevalence of chronic diseases
- β-alanine supplementation within the previous six months
- Use of other dietary supplements, except carbohydrate and whey protein supplements
- Adherence to a vegetarian or vegan diet
- Participation in another clinical trial within the previous 3 months.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Beta-alanine is a dietary supplement that increases skeletal muscle carnosine concentration and may enhance the muscle's ability to buffer hydrogen ions produced during high-intensity exercise. This buffering effect could potentially delay fatigue and improve exercise performance, particularly under conditions that increase metabolic stress, such as hypoxia. However, previous studies examining the effects of beta-alanine supplementation on repeated sprint performance under hypoxic conditions have produced inconsistent findings.
The purpose of this study is to determine whether four weeks of beta-alanine supplementation improves repeated high-intensity cycling performance and influences markers of acid-base balance in trained male cyclists exercising under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Participants will perform repeated Wingate anaerobic cycling tests before and after a four-week supplementation period with either beta-alanine or placebo.
Read more
Mechanical performance outcomes, including peak power, mean power, total work, and fatigue indices, will be assessed alongside physiological measures of metabolic stress, including blood lactate concentration, pH, bicarbonate concentration, and base excess. Performance and physiological responses will be compared between supplementation groups and environmental conditions.
The findings of this study may contribute to a better understanding of the ergogenic potential of beta-alanine supplementation during repeated high-intensity exercise and provide practical information for athletes and practitioners regarding the effectiveness of beta-alanine under conditions of reduced oxygen availability.
Read the detailed description
Beta-alanine is a non-essential amino acid and the rate-limiting precursor for the synthesis of carnosine, an intracellular dipeptide found in high concentrations within skeletal muscle. Carnosine contributes to intracellular acid-base regulation by buffering hydrogen ions (H+) produced during high-intensity exercise. Supplementation with beta-alanine has consistently been shown to increase muscle carnosine concentrations, potentially enhancing buffering capacity and delaying the onset of fatigue during exercise characterized by substantial glycolytic energy production.
The ergogenic potential of beta-alanine has been extensively investigated in a variety of exercise modalities. Previous studies and meta-analyses suggest that supplementation may improve performance during high-intensity exercise lasting approximately one to four minutes, where metabolic acidosis is considered an important contributor to fatigue. However, findings remain inconsistent, particularly in exercise protocols involving repeated maximal efforts and in environmental conditions that alter oxygen availability.
Exercise performed in hypoxic environments is associated with reduced oxygen delivery to working muscles, increased reliance on anaerobic glycolysis, accelerated accumulation of hydrogen ions and lactate, and greater disturbance of acid-base homeostasis. Consequently, hypoxic exercise may increase the physiological importance of buffering mechanisms and potentially enhance the relevance of interventions aimed at improving buffering capacity. Despite this theoretical rationale, limited information is available regarding the effectiveness of beta-alanine supplementation during repeated supramaximal exercise performed under hypoxic conditions.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of four weeks of beta-alanine supplementation on repeated high-intensity cycling performance and physiological responses associated with metabolic acidosis in trained male cyclists. The study utilizes a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design. Participants complete repeated laboratory testing sessions under both normoxic and normobaric hypoxic conditions before and after the supplementation period.
Exercise performance is assessed using a repeated Wingate anaerobic cycling protocol consisting of three consecutive 30-second maximal efforts separated by standardized recovery intervals. The protocol was selected because it induces substantial anaerobic energy production and metabolic stress, allowing evaluation of both performance outcomes and buffering-related physiological responses. Testing is conducted under normoxic conditions and under normobaric hypoxia corresponding to an altitude of approximately 2500 meters above sea level.
Physiological measurements include assessments of blood lactate concentration and indicators of acid-base balance collected in conjunction with the exercise protocol. These measurements are intended to characterize the metabolic and buffering responses to repeated supramaximal exercise and to determine whether beta-alanine supplementation modifies these responses.
The study is designed to improve understanding of the role of beta-alanine supplementation in athletes performing repeated high-intensity exercise under conditions of normal and reduced oxygen availability. The findings may contribute to the evidence base regarding nutritional strategies intended to support performance during repeated maximal efforts and may help clarify whether environmental stressors such as hypoxia influence the ergogenic effectiveness of beta-alanine supplementation.
- Conditions
- Cyclists, Healthy Adult Male
- Being tested
- beta-alanine, normoxic conditions, Placebo, Normobaric hypoxic conditions (≈2500 m)
- Keywords
- muscle buffering, anaerobic performance, Wingate test, acid-base balance, hypoxia, cyclists
- Medical subject headings
- Hypoxia
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
beta-alanineDietary supplement
Also called BA
β-alanine (6 g·day-¹)
normoxic conditionsOther
Also called N
normoxic conditions
PlaceboDietary supplement
Placebo (6 g·day-¹)
Normobaric hypoxic conditions (≈2500 m)Other
Also called H
Normobaric hypoxic conditions (≈2500 m)
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| BA-N | Experimental | Beta-alanine + normoxia Receives: Dietary Supplement: beta-alanine; Other: normoxic conditions |
| PL-N | Placebo comparator | Placebo + normoxia Receives: Other: normoxic conditions; Dietary Supplement: Placebo |
| BA-H | Experimental | Beta-alanine + hypoxia Receives: Dietary Supplement: beta-alanine; Other: Normobaric hypoxic conditions (≈2500 m) |
| PL-H | Experimental | Placebo + hypoxia Receives: Dietary Supplement: Placebo; Other: Normobaric hypoxic conditions (≈2500 m) |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Mean Power (W)
Measured: 4 weeks
Secondary outcomes (11)
Peak Power (W)
Measured: 4 weeks
Relative Peak Power (W·kg-¹)
Measured: 4 weeks
Total Work (J)
Measured: 4 weeks
Fatigue Slope (W·s-¹)
Measured: 4 weeks
Rate of Fatigue (%)
Measured: 4 weeks
Time to Peak Power (s)
Measured: 4 weeks
minimum power (MinP)
Measured: 4 weeks
Lactate (mmol·L-¹)
Measured: 4 weeks
pH
Measured: 4 weeks
BE(B) (mmol·L-¹)
Measured: 4 weeks
HCO₃- (mmol·L-¹)
Measured: 4 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted16 Jun 2026
- Study start20 Nov 2019
- Primary completion1 Jun 2026
- Study completion1 Jun 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for CyclistsStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Factorial
- Model description
- Participants performed three consecutive 30-s Wingate tests under normoxic or normo-baric hypoxic conditions (≈2500 m). Following baseline testing, participants consumed either β-alanine (6 g·day-¹) or placebo for four weeks.
- Masking
- Triple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Care provider, Investigator
- Enrolment
- 38 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Mateusz Gawełczyk, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice
- Investigators
- Mateusz Gawelczyk, PhD, Study director, Institute of Sport Sciences, Academy of Physical Education, 40-065 Katowice, Poland
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07650162
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- MGBA
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 10 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 17 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: Anonymised data will be available upon reasonable request.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 17 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effects of Beta-Alanine Supplementation on Mechanical Performance, Acid-Base Balance, Oxidative Stress, and Enzymatic Antioxidant Defence During Repeated Wingate Anaerobic Tests Under Normoxic and Hypoxic Conditions
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07650162
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- MGBA
- Conditions
- Cyclists, Healthy Adult Male
- Keywords
- muscle buffering, anaerobic performance, Wingate test, acid-base balance, hypoxia, cyclists
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 38 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in KatowiceUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 20 Nov 2019 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Jun 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 1 Jun 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 16 Jun 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Beta-alanine is a dietary supplement that increases skeletal muscle carnosine concentration and may enhance the muscle's ability to buffer hydrogen ions produced during high-intensity exercise. This buffering effect could potentially delay fatigue and improve exercise performance, particularly under conditions that increase metabolic stress, such as hypoxia. However, previous studies examining the effects of beta-alanine supplementation on repeated sprint performance under hypoxic conditions have produced inconsistent findings.
The purpose of this study is to determine whether four weeks of beta-alanine supplementation improves repeated high-intensity cycling performance and influences markers of acid-base balance in trained male cyclists exercising under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Participants will perform repeated Wingate anaerobic cycling tests before and after a four-week supplementation period with either beta-alanine or placebo.
Mechanical performance outcomes, including peak power, mean power, total work, and fatigue indices, will be assessed alongside physiological measures of metabolic stress, including blood lactate concentration, pH, bicarbonate concentration, and base excess. Performance and physiological responses will be compared between supplementation groups and environmental conditions.
The findings of this study may contribute to a better understanding of the ergogenic potential of beta-alanine supplementation during repeated high-intensity exercise and provide practical information for athletes and practitioners regarding the effectiveness of beta-alanine under conditions of reduced oxygen availability.
Detailed description
Beta-alanine is a non-essential amino acid and the rate-limiting precursor for the synthesis of carnosine, an intracellular dipeptide found in high concentrations within skeletal muscle. Carnosine contributes to intracellular acid-base regulation by buffering hydrogen ions (H+) produced during high-intensity exercise. Supplementation with beta-alanine has consistently been shown to increase muscle carnosine concentrations, potentially enhancing buffering capacity and delaying the onset of fatigue during exercise characterized by substantial glycolytic energy production.
The ergogenic potential of beta-alanine has been extensively investigated in a variety of exercise modalities. Previous studies and meta-analyses suggest that supplementation may improve performance during high-intensity exercise lasting approximately one to four minutes, where metabolic acidosis is considered an important contributor to fatigue. However, findings remain inconsistent, particularly in exercise protocols involving repeated maximal efforts and in environmental conditions that alter oxygen availability.
Exercise performed in hypoxic environments is associated with reduced oxygen delivery to working muscles, increased reliance on anaerobic glycolysis, accelerated accumulation of hydrogen ions and lactate, and greater disturbance of acid-base homeostasis. Consequently, hypoxic exercise may increase the physiological importance of buffering mechanisms and potentially enhance the relevance of interventions aimed at improving buffering capacity. Despite this theoretical rationale, limited information is available regarding the effectiveness of beta-alanine supplementation during repeated supramaximal exercise performed under hypoxic conditions.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of four weeks of beta-alanine supplementation on repeated high-intensity cycling performance and physiological responses associated with metabolic acidosis in trained male cyclists. The study utilizes a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design. Participants complete repeated laboratory testing sessions under both normoxic and normobaric hypoxic conditions before and after the supplementation period.
Exercise performance is assessed using a repeated Wingate anaerobic cycling protocol consisting of three consecutive 30-second maximal efforts separated by standardized recovery intervals. The protocol was selected because it induces substantial anaerobic energy production and metabolic stress, allowing evaluation of both performance outcomes and buffering-related physiological responses. Testing is conducted under normoxic conditions and under normobaric hypoxia corresponding to an altitude of approximately 2500 meters above sea level.
Physiological measurements include assessments of blood lactate concentration and indicators of acid-base balance collected in conjunction with the exercise protocol. These measurements are intended to characterize the metabolic and buffering responses to repeated supramaximal exercise and to determine whether beta-alanine supplementation modifies these responses.
The study is designed to improve understanding of the role of beta-alanine supplementation in athletes performing repeated high-intensity exercise under conditions of normal and reduced oxygen availability. The findings may contribute to the evidence base regarding nutritional strategies intended to support performance during repeated maximal efforts and may help clarify whether environmental stressors such as hypoxia influence the ergogenic effectiveness of beta-alanine supplementation.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Factorial
- Masking
- Triple blind (participant, care provider, investigator)
- Number of arms
- 4
- Model description
- Participants performed three consecutive 30-s Wingate tests under normoxic or normo-baric hypoxic conditions (≈2500 m). Following baseline testing, participants consumed either β-alanine (6 g·day-¹) or placebo for four weeks.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| BA-N | Experimental | Dietary Supplement: beta-alanine, Other: normoxic conditionsBeta-alanine + normoxia |
| PL-N | Placebo comparator | Other: normoxic conditions, Dietary Supplement: PlaceboPlacebo + normoxia |
| BA-H | Experimental | Dietary Supplement: beta-alanine, Other: Normobaric hypoxic conditions (≈2500 m)Beta-alanine + hypoxia |
| PL-H | Experimental | Dietary Supplement: Placebo, Other: Normobaric hypoxic conditions (≈2500 m)Placebo + hypoxia |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 20 to 50 years
- Sex
- Male only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Healthy male participants aged 20-50 years
- Regularly riding a bike (min. 5000 km on the bike in the last year)
- Willingness to maintain habitual dietary and physical activity patterns throughout the study.
- Willingness to refrain from consuming dietary supplements other than those provided as part of the study.
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Prevalence of chronic diseases
- β-alanine supplementation within the previous six months
- Use of other dietary supplements, except carbohydrate and whey protein supplements
- Adherence to a vegetarian or vegan diet
- Participation in another clinical trial within the previous 3 months.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| beta-alanineAlso: BAβ-alanine (6 g·day-¹) | Dietary supplement | BA-H, BA-N |
| normoxic conditionsAlso: Nnormoxic conditions | Other | BA-N, PL-N |
| PlaceboPlacebo (6 g·day-¹) | Dietary supplement | PL-H, PL-N |
| Normobaric hypoxic conditions (≈2500 m)Also: HNormobaric hypoxic conditions (≈2500 m) | Other | BA-H, PL-H |
Primary outcome
Mean Power (W)
Time frame: 4 weeks
11 secondary outcomes
Peak Power (W)
Time frame: 4 weeks
Relative Peak Power (W·kg-¹)
Time frame: 4 weeks
Total Work (J)
Time frame: 4 weeks
Fatigue Slope (W·s-¹)
Time frame: 4 weeks
Rate of Fatigue (%)
Time frame: 4 weeks
Time to Peak Power (s)
Time frame: 4 weeks
minimum power (MinP)
Time frame: 4 weeks
Lactate (mmol·L-¹)
Time frame: 4 weeks
pH
Time frame: 4 weeks
BE(B) (mmol·L-¹)
Time frame: 4 weeks
HCO₃- (mmol·L-¹)
Time frame: 4 weeks
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 17 Jun 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. Anonymised data will be available upon reasonable request.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Mateusz Gawelczyk, PhD study director
Institute of Sport Sciences, Academy of Physical Education, 40-065 Katowice, Poland
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing beta-alanine, normoxic conditions and Normobaric hypoxic conditions (≈2500 m) in people with Cyclists and Healthy Adult Male, run by The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice at 1 site in Poland.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 17 Jun 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Poland. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Mean Power (W) (time frame: 4 weeks). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 17 Jun 2026.