Effects of Magnesium Glycinate and Magnesium L-Threonate on Sleep, Recovery, and Performance in Collegiate Athletes
University of California, Los Angeles
Summary
This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial will compare magnesium glycinate, magnesium L-threonate, and placebo in UCLA varsity athletes. Participants will complete a baseline monitoring period followed by 4 weeks of blinded nightly supplementation. WHOOP or study-approved wearable data will be used to evaluate sleep efficiency, total sleep time, sleep consistency, heart rate variability, resting heart rate, and recovery metrics. Baseline and final testing will assess selected reaction and physical performance outcomes. The primary outcome is change in WHOOP-derived sleep efficiency from baseline week to final treatment week.
Description
Magnesium is involved in neuromuscular signaling, cellular energy metabolism, autonomic regulation, and sleep-related physiology. Competitive athletes often experience sleep restriction, training stress, travel, soreness, and recovery demands. Magnesium glycinate and magnesium L-threonate are commonly used athlete-facing magnesium formulations, but they are not interchangeable. Glycinate is commonly positioned as a well-tolerated sleep-oriented formulation, whereas L-threonate is of interest because of prior signals related to sleep, cognition, reaction performance, and central nervous system…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–35 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18 to 35 years. * Current UCLA varsity athlete. * Actively training or competing during the study period. * Willing to wear WHOOP or a study-approved wearable device continuously during baseline and treatment periods if wearable data are used. * Willing to take assigned study capsules nightly for 28 days. * Willing to complete brief daily REDCap surveys and weekly adherence/safety check-ins. * Able to provide informed consent and comply with study procedures. Exclusion Criteria: * Current magnesium supplementation without completion of an appropriate washout before…
Interventions
- Dietary SupplementMagnesium glycinate
Blinded oral magnesium glycinate capsules taken nightly for 28 days.
- Dietary SupplementMagnesium L-threonate
Blinded oral magnesium L-threonate capsules taken nightly for 28 days.
- OtherPlacebo
Matching placebo capsules taken nightly for 28 days.
Location
- University of California, Los AngelesLos Angeles, California