Beta-Alanine Effects on Neuromuscular and Cardiovascular Performance in Female Rugby Players

NCT07809321 | Enrolling By Invitation

• 1 other identifier: UPC__UniversidadComillas
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 30
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study will examine the effects of beta-alanine supplementation on physical performance in female rugby players, who will ingest 4.8 grams/day over a four-week period. The research will evaluate both cardiovascular and neuromuscular outcomes, with cardiovascular performance assessed using the Bronco Test (a field-based measure of endurance and repeated high-intensity running ability) and neuromuscular performance (e.g.vertical jump capacity).

Conditions

Beta Alanine Supplementation; Placebo - Control

Keywords

dietary supplements; team sports; female

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Bronco Test (Cardiovascular Test)

  The Bronco Test will be used to assess cardiovascular fitness and the ability to perform repeated high-intensity running efforts. This field-based test consists of continuous shuttle running over increasing distances (typically 20, 40, and 60 meters) repeated multiple times without rest, totaling 1,200 meters. Participants are required to complete the test as quickly as possible, with total time recorded as the main performance outcome. The Bronco Test is widely used in team sports such as rugby due to its strong ecological validity, as it reflects the intermittent and high-intensity nature of match play. Improvements in completion time are indicative of enhanced aerobic capacity, speed endurance, and overall cardiovascular performance.

  Before and after the intervention period, which lasted four weeks.

• Repeated sprint ability capacity

  Repeated-sprint ability will be assesed using a 6 × 30 m repeated-sprint test, from which two indices were derived: total sprint time and percent sprint decrement. Total sprint time was calculated as the sum of the six individual sprint times, expressed in seconds, and represents overall sprint performance across repeated efforts. The percent sprint decrement was used as an indicator of fatigue, reflecting the decline in performance across successive sprints.

  Before and after the intervention period, which lasted four weeks.

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Isometric handgrip strength

  Before and after the intervention period, which lasted four weeks.

• Vertical jump capacity (countermovement jump)

  Before and after the intervention period, which lasted four weeks.

• Modified agility T-test

  Before and after the intervention period, which lasted four weeks.

• Rate of perceived exertion (RPE)

  Before and after the intervention period, which lasted four weeks.

Study Arms (2)

Beta-alanine supplementation

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants assigned to the experimental group will receive beta-alanine supplementation (CROWN Sport Nutrition, La Rioja, España) at a dose of 4.8 grams per day for a period of four weeks . The supplement will be administered in divided doses throughout the day to enhance absorption and minimize potential side effects such as paresthesia

Dietary Supplement: Placebo Comparator; Dietary Supplement: Beta-Alanine

Dietary Supplement: Placebo Comparator

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Description: Placebo group will receive 4.8 grams per day of placebo, containing fructose (3000 mg) and excipients (1800 mg) such as cellulose, calcium phosphate, silicon dioxide, and magnesium stearate. Both supplements will be matched in appearance and dosing schedule to ensure proper blinding. Compliance with the supplementation protocol will be monitored throughout the intervention period.

Dietary Supplement: Placebo Comparator; Dietary Supplement: Beta-Alanine

Interventions

Beta-Alanine DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Participants assigned to the experimental group will receive beta-alanine supplementation (CROWN Sport Nutrition, La Rioja, España) at a dose of 4.8 grams per day for a period of four weeks . The supplement will be administered in divided doses throughout the day to enhance absorption and minimize potential side effects such as paresthesia

Beta-alanine supplementation; Dietary Supplement: Placebo Comparator

Placebo Comparator DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Placebo group will receive 4.8 grams per day of placebo, containing fructose (3000 mg) and excipients (1800 mg) such as cellulose, calcium phosphate, silicon dioxide, and magnesium stearate. Both supplements will be matched in appearance and dosing schedule to ensure proper blinding. Compliance with the supplementation protocol will be monitored throughout the intervention period.

Beta-alanine supplementation; Dietary Supplement: Placebo Comparator

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 40 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Rugby participants with at least three years of professional experience.

You may not qualify if:

• Suffering from any chronic pathology or an injury in the month prior to the investigation.
• Intolerance to beta-alanine supplementation
• Participants aged outside the range of 18 to 40 years.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universidad Pontificia Comillas: lead
• University of Seville: collaborator
• Universidad Complutense de Madrid: collaborator
• Universidad Francisco de Vitoria: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Álvaro López Samanes

Madrid, Madrid, 28049, Spain

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Vachon A, Berryman N, Mujika I, Paquet JB, Bosquet L. Fitness Determinants of Repeated High-Intensity Effort Ability in Elite Rugby Union Players. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2021 Aug 1;16(8):1103-1110. doi: 10.1123/ijspp.2020-0525. Epub 2021 Mar 31.

  PMID: 33789247 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Interventions

beta-Alanine

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Alanine; Amino Acids; Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: TRIPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, INVESTIGATOR
• Masking Details: An independent researcher who will not be involved in the implementation of the study, data collection, or analysis will be responsible for the allocation concealment and preparation of the supplementation (beta-alanine and placebo). This individual will ensure proper blinding of the interventions so that participants and study personnel involved in outcome assessment remain unaware of group assignments.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: This study will use a randomized, parallel-group design. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: an experimental group receiving beta-alanine supplementation (4.8 g/day) or a control group receiving a placebo. Both groups will follow the same supplementation protocol over a four-week period. This design will allow for the comparison of the effects of beta-alanine versus placebo on cardiovascular and neuromuscular performance outcomes in female rugby players.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 2, 2026
• First Posted: September 9, 2026
• Study Start: September 1, 2026
• Primary Completion: September 10, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): November 15, 2026
• Last Updated: September 9, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

ES (1)