An Initial Investigation Into the Effects of β-Alanine on Performance and Physiological Responses During Simulated Wrestling Matches

This research aims to investigate the effects of beta-alanine (BA) supplementation on simulated 2-day freestyle wrestling performance, as well as on exercise-induced muscle fatigue and oxidative stress in wrestlers. In addition to the common issue of long-term insufficient energy intake due to weight control, high-intensity training can further exacerbate exercise-induced oxidative stress and muscle fatigue, thereby impairing athletic performance. Therefore, finding effective ergogenic aids to reduce these negative physiological responses is crucial for optimizing athletes' competitive condition. Based on a literature review, this study will implement the Specific Wrestling Performance Test (SWPT) to simulate two consecutive days of freestyle wrestling competitions according to Kraemer's model. Multiple performance assessments will be used to evaluate the impact of BA supplementation on athletes' physiological indicators and performance. It is expected that BA supplementation will enhance systemic antioxidant capacity, reduce muscle fatigue and oxidative stress induced by simulated wrestling matches, and improve wrestling-specific physical performance.

Study Overview

• Status: Active, not recruiting
• Conditions: Healthy; Athletes
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Placebo (Placebo trial); Other: Beta-Alanine (Beta-Alanine trial)

Detailed Description

This experiment will employ the Specific Wrestling Performance Test (SWPT) to conduct the two-day simulated freestyle wrestling competition protocol developed by Kraemer (Kraemer et al., 2001), in order to evaluate the physiological responses of athletes during competition. A total of 20 wrestlers will participate in this study using a randomized single-blind crossover design. Participants will receive either beta-alanine (BA) supplementation or a placebo for four weeks (4.8 g/day), followed by a four-week washout period. On the official testing day, body composition measurements and records will be taken 12 hours before the first SWPT session. After the measurements, participants will be provided with a 300 kcal light meal. Following the completion of the third SWPT session, participants will perform approximately 20-30 minutes of cycling exercise to help maintain body weight for the following morning. Two hours before the fourth SWPT session, body weight will be measured again to ensure that weight variation does not exceed 2%, after which another 300 kcal light meal will be provided. The simulated two-day freestyle wrestling competition protocol will consist of five SWPT sessions: on Day 1, SWPT sessions will be conducted at 10:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 6:00 PM; on Day 2, sessions will take place at 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM. In this crossover trial, all pre-competition assessments will be conducted before the matches. Pre-test assessments must be completed 10 minutes before the start of the first SWPT session, while post-test assessments will be conducted immediately after each SWPT session. The assessment items include the number of throws completed during the simulated SWPT match, reaction tests, grip strength tests, back strength tests, and sport-specific fitness tests. In addition, ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), heart rate, and blood samples will be recorded and collected. The sport-specific fitness tests include the Overhead Medicine Ball Throw (OMBT) and the Medicine Ball Chest Throw (MBCT).

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 16
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Taiwan
  • Taichung, Taiwan
    • China Medical University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child; Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Wrestle athletes aged 12 to 25 years with at least 3 years of wrestle training experience.

Exclusion Criteria:

• All participants must be free from chronic conditions such as heart disease and hypertension, and must not have experienced any serious lower limb musculoskeletal injuries within the past six months.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Other
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
• Masking: Quadruple

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Placebo Comparator: Placebo; Containing edible yellow No. 4, edible yellow No. 5, sucrose, silica, talc, oxidized starch, gelatin, magnesium stearate, and palm wax.	Other: Placebo (Placebo trial); The Placebo capsule supplement was taken for 4 weeks (6 capsules per day).; Other: Beta-Alanine (Beta-Alanine trial); The Beta-Alanine capsule supplement was taken for 4 weeks, with a daily dosage of 4.8 g of Beta-Alanine (equivalent to 6 capsules per day, each containing 800 mg of Beta-Alanine).
Experimental: Beta-Alanine; Each capsule containing 800 mg of Beta-Alanine.	Other: Placebo (Placebo trial); The Placebo capsule supplement was taken for 4 weeks (6 capsules per day).; Other: Beta-Alanine (Beta-Alanine trial); The Beta-Alanine capsule supplement was taken for 4 weeks, with a daily dosage of 4.8 g of Beta-Alanine (equivalent to 6 capsules per day, each containing 800 mg of Beta-Alanine).

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Specific Wrestling Performance Test (SWPT)	The test consists of two rounds with identical procedures. Each round lasts for 3 minutes, with a 30-second rest interval between rounds. During the first minute, participants perform one throw every 10 seconds for a total of 3 throws. This is followed by maximal repeated throws performed between 30 and 50 seconds, and then a rest period from 50 to 60 seconds. The second minute follows the same procedure as the first minute. In the third minute, participants again perform one throw every 10 seconds for a total of 3 throws, followed by 30 seconds of maximal repeated throws, during which the total number of throws is recorded. According to the experimental design of Marković, the dummy weight is adjusted based on the athlete's body weight: participants weighing less than 75 kg throw a 22 kg dummy, those weighing between 75-90 kg throw a 27 kg dummy, and those weighing more than 90 kg throw a 32 kg dummy (Marković et al., 2022).	Including for 4 days in both beta-alanine and placebo trials

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Reaction test	Reaction time is a key factor influencing wrestling performance, as shorter reaction times enable athletes to execute more effective technical and tactical actions. In this study, the BlazePod reaction light system will be used to conduct the reaction test. After hearing the command "Ready," participants will assume a position with both hands and knees on the ground. Once the light is activated, participants must stand up as quickly as possible and tap the reaction light. The time interval between the "Ready" command and the light activation will vary randomly in order to prevent participants from anticipating the timing of the stimulus. The test will be performed three times with a 1-minute rest interval between trials, and the best performance result will be recorded.	Including for 4 days in both beta-alanine and placebo trials
Grip strength test	Grip strength will be assessed using an electronic handgrip dynamometer. Participants will stand in a natural upright position with their arms hanging naturally at their sides. The elbows and wrists will be maintained at 0° extension, and the grip width will be adjusted to fit the position of the second finger joint. During the test, participants will be instructed to squeeze the dynamometer handle as forcefully as possible for 5 seconds. Grip strength measurements will be performed three times for each hand, with a 1-minute rest interval between trials. The highest value obtained will be recorded as the test result.	Including for 4 days in both beta-alanine and placebo trials
The Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) Scale	The Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale measures how hard exercise feels. Participants rate effort from 6 (no exertion) to 20 (maximal exertion). A higher score means greater effort (worse fatigue).	Including for 4 days in both beta-alanine and placebo trials
Medicine Ball Chest Throw (MBCT) test	The sport-specific wrestling fitness test protocol developed by Dehnou in 2020 will be used in this study. Participants will sit on a chair with their feet shoulder-width apart and firmly placed on the floor, with the toes aligned with the starting line. The knees will be maintained at a 90° flexion angle while the upper body remains upright. Participants will hold a 5 kg medicine ball in front of the chest with both hands. During the test, participants will forcefully push the ball forward using a chest-pass motion similar to a basketball chest pass. Throughout the movement, the ischial tuberosities must remain in contact with the seat, and trunk rotation is not permitted. The throwing distance will be measured and recorded. The test will be performed three times with a 1-minute rest interval between trials, and the greatest distance achieved will be recorded as the final result.	Including for 4 days in both beta-alanine and placebo trials
Overhead Medicine Ball Throw (OMBT) test	The sport-specific wrestling fitness test protocol developed by Dehnou in 2020 will be adopted in this study. Participants will stand with their feet shoulder-width apart and their heels aligned with the starting line, while holding a 5 kg medicine ball naturally in front of the body with both hands. Participants will then squat down until the medicine ball reaches knee level, after which they will rapidly extend the body and forcefully throw the ball backward over the head. The throwing distance will be measured and recorded. The test will be performed three times with a 1-minute rest interval between trials, and the greatest distance achieved will be recorded as the final result.	Including for 4 days in both beta-alanine and placebo trials
Back strength test	Back strength will be measured using a back strength dynamometer. Participants will stand on the testing platform while gripping the handle with both hands using an overhand grip. The knees will remain fully extended, and the upper body will lean forward at approximately 30°. The length of the chain attached to the handle may be adjusted according to each participant's body size to ensure an appropriate testing position. During the test, participants will pull the handle upward with maximal effort using the strength of the back and upper body muscles, while avoiding excessive use of the arms and legs. The dynamometer pointer will display the measured back strength value. The test will be performed three times with a 1-minute rest interval between trials, and the highest value obtained will be recorded.	Including for 4 days in both beta-alanine and placebo trials

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: China Medical University Hospital
• Collaborators: China Medical University, Taiwan
• Investigators: Study Chair: Jung-Piao Tsao, China Medical University, China

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): April 11, 2026
• Primary Completion (Actual): May 24, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): October 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 8, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 8, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): June 11, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): June 11, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 8, 2026
• Last Verified: June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: beta-alanine; exercise performance; wrestle
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins; Amino Acids; Alanine; beta-Alanine
• Other Study ID Numbers: CMUH114-REC3-170

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No