Effects of Magnesium L-Threonate on Sleep, Recovery, and Athletic Performance in Collegiate Athletes

NCT07015047 | Active Not Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: IRB-25-1201
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 100
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study is testing whether a special form of magnesium called magnesium L-threonate can help improve sleep quality, recovery, and physical performance in college athletes. Magnesium is important for muscle recovery and sleep, but many forms of it do not enter the brain well. Magnesium L-threonate is unique in that it can cross the blood-brain barrier and may improve deep and REM sleep, heart rate variability, and brain recovery. In this study, healthy UCLA varsity athletes aged 18 to 35 will be randomly assigned to take either magnesium L-threonate or a placebo each evening for 4 weeks. They will wear a WHOOP strap to track sleep, recovery, and heart rate data. Performance tests including jump height, grip strength, and reaction time will be completed before and after the 4-week period. This study will help researchers determine if this supplement can support recovery and training in athletes and whether wearable technology can help monitor these changes in real time.

Conditions

Recovery of Function (G11.427.698.620); Athletic Performance; Heart Rate Variability (HRV)

Keywords

Magnesium L-Threonate; Sleep Quality; WHOOP; Athlete Recovery; HRV; NCAA Athletes; Sports Medicine; Wearable Technology

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Change in Deep Sleep Duration (minutes) from Baseline to Week 4

  Deep (slow-wave) sleep duration will be measured nightly using WHOOP wearable sensors. Average weekly deep sleep duration will be calculated and compared between groups.

  Baseline to Week 4

• Change in Heart Rate Variability (HRV) from Baseline to Week 4

  HRV (measured in ms) will be captured nightly via WHOOP device. Weekly averages will be analyzed to assess autonomic recovery across time points.

  Baseline to Week 4

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Change in Countermovement Jump Height (cm) from Baseline to Week 4

  Baseline and Week 4

• Change in Reaction Time (ms) from Baseline to Week 4

  Baseline and Week 4

• Change in Handgrip Strength from Baseline to Week 4

  Baseline and Week 4

• Change in Subjective Sleep Quality Score from Baseline to Week 4

  Daily for 4 Weeks (averaged weekly)

Study Arms (2)

Magnesium L-Threonate

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants assigned to this arm will take 1 gram of magnesium L-threonate (Magtein) in capsule form each evening for 4 weeks. They will wear a WHOOP strap continuously to collect sleep and recovery metrics and complete baseline/follow-up performance testing.

Dietary Supplement: Magnesium L-Threonate

Placebo

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Participants assigned to this arm will take an identical-looking placebo capsule each evening for 4 weeks. They will wear a WHOOP strap continuously to collect sleep and recovery metrics and complete baseline/follow-up performance testing.

Other: Placebo

Interventions

Magnesium L-Threonate DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Participants in this arm will take 1 gram of magnesium L-threonate (Magtein), provided in capsule form, once daily in the evening for 4 weeks. This supplement is known for its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and may enhance sleep architecture, autonomic recovery, and cognitive function.

Magnesium L-Threonate

Placebo OTHER

Identical-looking inert capsule taken nightly for 4 weeks. Used as a comparator to magnesium L-threonate to assess changes in sleep, recovery, and performance metrics.

Placebo

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 35 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Age 18-35 years
• Current UCLA varsity athlete (any sport)
• Actively training or competing during the study period
• Willing to wear a WHOOP strap continuously for 4 weeks
• Willing to ingest a nightly capsule for 4 weeks
• Able to provide informed consent and comply with study procedures

You may not qualify if:

• Current use of magnesium supplements or investigational drugs
• Use of prescription or over-the-counter sleep medications
• Diagnosed sleep disorder (e.g., insomnia, sleep apnea)
• Major medical condition limiting training or participation
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Known history of chronic kidney or liver disease
• Allergy or intolerance to magnesium
• Inability to comply with study procedures (e.g., wearing WHOOP or completing surveys)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of California, Los Angeles: lead

Study Sites (1)

UCLA

Los Angeles, California, 90094, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders

Interventions

threonic acid

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Sleep Disorders, Intrinsic; Dyssomnias; Sleep Wake Disorders; Nervous System Diseases; Mental Disorders

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Health Sciences Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery - Sports Medicine

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 3, 2025
• First Posted: June 11, 2025
• Study Start: October 1, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): July 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 15, 2026
• Last Updated: October 15, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-10

Locations

US (1)