Atatürk University
Erzurum, Turkey (Türkiye)
Completed
NCT Number: NCT07347509
Acute Effects of BCAA and L-Arginine on Performance in Elite Soccer Players
his study aims to investigate the acute effects of a single pre-exercise dose of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) and L-arginine supplementation on anaerobic performance, sprint speed, agility, lactate response, and post-exercise heart rate recovery in male football players competing in a youth development league.
Twenty-one football players participating in the T.F.F. U-19 Development League will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: BCAA (n = 7), L-arginine (n = 7), or placebo (n = 7). Participants will receive either 12 g of BCAA (4:1:1), 5 g of L-arginine, or an equivalent amount of maltodextrin, administered 1.5 hours before training.
Performance assessments will include 10 m and 20 m sprint tests, an agility test, the Wingate anaerobic power test, blood lactate measurements, and post-exercise heart rate recovery measurements taken at the 1st, 3rd, and 5th minutes of recovery.
Data will be analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance to examine within- and between-group differences.Data obtained from the study were analyzed using the JASP 0.95.4 software. Pre-test and post-test values of the experimental and control groups were evaluated using Repeated Measures ANOVA. Effect size was determined using Eta Squared (η²), and differences between groups were identified using Tukey post hoc analysis. A 95% confidence interval was applied, and statistical significance was accepted at p < 0.05.
In the BCAA group, 20 m sprint performance (p < 0.05) and agility test results (p < 0.05) improved significantly compared to the control group. Additionally, heart rate recovery at the 3rd and 5th minutes was significantly faster in the BCAA group compared to both the L-arginine and placebo groups (p < 0.05). In the L-arginine group, no significant improvements were observed in sprint performance, agility, lactate response, or Wingate parameters compared to placebo. No significant differences were found between groups in lactate response or anaerobic power variables (peak, mean, and minimum power, and fatigue index) (p > 0.05).
A single dose of BCAA supplementation improves short-distance sprint performance, agility, and heart rate recovery in football players; however, it does not have a significant effect on anaerobic power or lactate response. Acute L-arginine supplementation did not produce a significant ergogenic effect on these parameters. The findings suggest that amino acid supplementation may produce more pronounced effects with chronic rather than acute application
Completed
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Notify MeKey information
Conditions
Age range
19 year–19 year
Sex eligibility
Male
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Not applicable
Primary location
About this study
This study is designed as a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled experimental trial to examine the acute effects of branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) and L-arginine supplementation on selected performance and physiological parameters in elite youth male football players.
A total of 21 male football players competing in the Turkish Football Federation (T.F.F.) U-19 Development League will be recruited for the study. Participants will be randomly allocated into three groups: BCAA supplementation group (n = 7), L-arginine supplementation group (n = 7), and placebo group (n = 7). Randomization will be performed using a computer-generated random allocation sequence. Both participants and investigators will be blinded to group assignments throughout the study.
Participants in the BCAA group will receive a single oral dose of 12 g BCAA in a 4:1:1 ratio, while the L-arginine group will receive 5 g of L-arginine. The placebo group will receive an equivalent amount of maltodextrin. All supplements will be administered 1.5 hours prior to the training session under standardized conditions.
Following supplementation, participants will complete a standardized warm-up protocol before undergoing performance assessments. Performance measures will include 10 m and 20 m sprint tests to assess sprint speed, an agility test to evaluate change-of-direction ability, and the Wingate anaerobic power test to assess anaerobic performance parameters. Blood lactate concentrations will be measured at specified time points, and heart rate recovery will be recorded at the 1st, 3rd, and 5th minutes following exercise.
All testing procedures will be conducted under similar environmental and training conditions to minimize external variability. Data collected from the assessments will be used to examine acute physiological and performance responses to the supplementation protocols using appropriate statistical methods.
Who can participate
Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes
Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.
Inclusion criteria
Male football players aged 19 years
Actively competing in a youth development or amateur football league
Minimum of 3 years of regular football training experience
Training at least 4 days per week
Free from musculoskeletal injury in the last 6 months
No use of nutritional supplements (including BCAA or L-arginine) for at least 4 weeks prior to the study
Voluntary participation with written informed consent
Exclusion criteria
Presence of any cardiovascular, metabolic, neurological, or chronic disease
Use of medications or supplements that may affect performance outcomes
History of surgery within the last 6 months
Known allergy or intolerance to BCAA or L-arginine
Smoking or alcohol abuse
Failure to comply with study protocol
Treatment and study plan
BCAA
Combination ProductA single acute oral dose of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) administered prior to the anaerobic performance, speed, agility, and recovery tests.
L-Arginine
Dietary SupplementA single acute oral dose of L-arginine administered prior to testing.
bcaa and l arginine
Dietary SupplementA placebo supplement administered prior to testing.
Primary outcomes
-
Anaerobic Performance
Time frame: Immediately after acute supplementation
Anaerobic performance assessed using the Wingate Anaerobic Test.
Sponsors and collaborators
Lead sponsor
Ataturk University
Other
Registry information
Official study title
An Investigation of the Acute Effects of BCAA, L-Arginine, and Placebo Supplementation on Anaerobic Performance, Speed, Agility, and Recovery in Elite Soccer Players
Acronym: CST-SP
Important dates
- Study start
- 2025
- Primary completion
- 2025
- Study completion
- 2025
- First posted
- Jan 16, 2026
- Registry last updated
- Jan 16, 2026
OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.
View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.