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.
written consent to participate,
general good health condition,
a current medical clearance to practice sports,
training experience: at least 4 years,
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),
Parallel
BA and SB supplementation
Dietary supplementAssigned 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
BA and PL2 supplementation
Dietary supplementParticipants 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
PL1 and SB supplementation
Dietary supplementAssigned 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
PL1 and PL2 supplementation
Dietary supplementAssigned 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.
Changes in anaerobic capacity during Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT)
Assessment of peak power (PP), average power (AP), minimum power (MP), power drop (PD) \[W (Watts)\] using the Monark 894E ergometer (measured before and after incremental cycling test (ICT)) before and after supplementation (BA - beta-alanine; SB - sodium bicarbonate; PL - placebo; with BA+SB, BA+PL2, PL1+SB, or PL1+PL2).
Changes in Countermovement Jump (CMJ) performance
Assessment of three consecutive countermovement jump (CMJ) heights \[cm (centimetres)\] using the Microgate system, measured at rest and after the entire exercise procedure, both before and after supplementation.
Changes in aerobic capacity during incremental cycling test (ICT)
Assessment of time to exhaustion \[s (seconds)\] during an incremental cycling test (ICT) using Ergoline E100P-K, measured before and after supplementation (with BA+SB, BA+PL2, PL1+SB, or PL1+PL2).
Changes in blood bicarbonate, base excess, anion gap, and lactate concentrations
Assessment of bicarbonate, base excess, anion gap, lactate \[mmol/L\] measured in capillary blood at rest, after warm-up, and after the entire exercise procedure, before and after supplementation (with BA+SB, BA+PL2, PL1+SB, or PL1+PL2).
Analysis of dietary energy intake
Assessment of energy intake \[kcal (kilocalories)\], before and after supplementation (with BA+SB, BA+PL2, PL1+SB, or PL1+PL2).
Analysis of dietary macronutrient intake
Assessment of macronutrients intake (proteins, carbohydrates, fats) \[g (grams)\], before and after supplementation (with BA+SB, BA+PL2, PL1+SB, or PL1+PL2).
Changes in rate of perceived exertion
The Borg RPE Scale ranges from 6 (no exertion at all) to 20 (maximal exertion). Higher scores indicate greater subjective perceived physical effort. The scale will be administered in accordance with the original methodology described by Borg (1982).
Changes in heart rate
Assessment of heart rate (HR) \[bpm (beats per minute)\] during the entire exercise procedure, measured before and after supplementation (with BA+SB, BA+PL2, PL1+SB, or PL1+PL2).
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