Background: Sport drinks and pre-work-out supplements are becoming increasingly popular among gym users. This study aims to examine the relationship between the use of a popular pre-workout drink compared with placebo on levels of performance in weightlifting.
Method: In this placebo-controlled double-blind randomized controlled experiment, powerlifters will be randomly assigned to a common pre-workout drink or to a credible placebo control condition. The study will take place in one of two gyms, in the South of Ireland, with experienced weight-lifters.
Results: Each participant will perform two powerlifting compound movements -the squat and bench-press - at baseline and following either the pre-workout or the placebo solution. Beliefs about the pre-workout drink and placebo will be assessed pre-and post-intervention. A vitality scale will also be used to assess general energy levels at both time points. Debriefing will be conducted at a one week follow up, assessing the effects of placebo unmasking at trial closure.
Conclusion: This trial has been approved by the Social Research Ethics Committee, in accordance with the Psychological Society of Ireland’s code of ethics and will be completed in March 2017.