MgT & College Athletes: AMSSM 2026 Poster

Study Overview

This study investigated whether magnesium L-threonate (MgT) — a form of magnesium uniquely capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier — can improve sleep quality, recovery, and physical performance in collegiate athletes. Healthy UCLA varsity athletes were randomly assigned to take either MgT or a placebo nightly for 4 weeks while wearing WHOOP straps to continuously monitor sleep, heart rate variability, and recovery metrics. Performance testing was completed at baseline and after the 4-week intervention.

Design

Randomized Controlled Trial

Masking

Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled

Enrollment

107 Athletes

Duration

4 Weeks

Key Findings

Preliminary results from the 4-week pilot (n = 107; MgT = 53, placebo = 54) presented at AMSSM 2026.

−52.3 ms

Faster Cognitive Reaction Time

MgT vs. placebo · p = 0.001

Sleep Quantity

+54.6 min

Total Sleep Time (Week 2)

p = 0.002

Sleep Quantity

+45.5 min

Total Sleep Time (Week 4)

p = 0.006

Sleep Quality

+6.27 pts

WHOOP Sleep Score (Week 2)

p = 0.010

Endurance Subgroup

+0.83 pts

Subjective Sleep Quality (Week 3)

p = 0.030

Endurance Subgroup

−1.15 pts

DOMS / Muscle Soreness (Week 4)

p = 0.041

High Adherence (≥90%)

−1.44 pts

Greater Soreness Reduction

p = 0.029

Takeaway

28 days of nightly Magnesium L-Threonate (1 g) was associated with better sleep quantity and quality, and faster cognitive reaction time in NCAA Division I athletes. Benefits appeared within 2–3 weeks and were supported by both wearable (WHOOP) and subjective measures. No pooled between-group benefit was observed for grip strength.

Download the AMSSM 2026 Poster

PDF · 1.6 MB · Presented April 2026, Seattle, WA

Download Poster

From the Poster Session

Scenes from the AMSSM 36th Annual Meeting poster session in Seattle, where Dr. Kimberly Burbank presented the HERO Lab’s Magnesium L-Threonate pilot trial.

Dr. Jeremy Swisher and Dr. Kimberly Burbank standing in front of the HERO Lab Magnesium L-Threonate poster at AMSSM 2026 — **Dr. Jeremy Swisher** and **Dr. Kimberly Burbank** at the HERO Lab Magnesium L-Threonate poster · AMSSM 2026, Seattle

Dr. Kimberly Burbank presenting the Magnesium L-Threonate poster to attendees during the AMSSM 2026 poster session — **Dr. Burbank** walking attendees through the pilot trial findings during the poster session.

Inclusion Criteria

Age 18–35 years
Current UCLA varsity athlete (any sport)
Actively training or competing during the study period
Willing to wear a WHOOP strap continuously for 4 weeks
Willing to ingest a nightly capsule for 4 weeks
Able to provide informed consent and comply with study procedures

Exclusion Criteria

Current use of magnesium supplements or investigational drugs
Use of prescription or over-the-counter sleep medications
Diagnosed sleep disorder (e.g., insomnia, sleep apnea)
Major medical condition limiting training or participation
Pregnancy or breastfeeding
Known history of chronic kidney or liver disease
Allergy or intolerance to magnesium
Inability to comply with study procedures

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes

Deep Sleep Duration

Slow-wave sleep measured nightly via WHOOP; weekly averages compared

Baseline → Week 4

Heart Rate Variability (HRV)

Nightly HRV (ms) via WHOOP; weekly averages for autonomic recovery

Baseline → Week 4

Secondary Outcomes

Countermovement Jump Height

Jump height assessed using force plate technology

Baseline & Week 4

Reaction Time

Standardized light-based test (BlazePod)

Baseline & Week 4

Handgrip Strength

Calibrated dynamometer; average of 3 trials on dominant hand

Baseline & Week 4

Subjective Sleep Quality

Single-Item Sleep Quality Scale (0–10) daily via REDCap

Daily for 4 weeks

Investigators

Kimberly Burbank, MD

Presenting Author · AMSSM 2026

UCLA · Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellow

Jeremy Swisher, MD

Principal Investigator