Impact of Varying Doses of Amino Acids on Exercise, Muscular and Mental Performance

NCT01215396 | Completed Phase 1 DMC

• 1 other identifier: REB 09-584
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 12
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

A number of studies have shown that ingestion of crystalline amino acids, in particular branched chain amino acids (BCAA) can affect endurance performance, markers of muscle damage, and possibly mental focus. It seems that the longer and lower intensity events are affected more by consumption of BCAA. This study will test the hypothesis that BCAA availability limits central fatigue (the feeling of tiredness). While various aspects of performance have been tested no study to date has tested multiple exercise, muscular, and mental performance aspects in a single study. Thus, the overall purpose of this study is to determine whether an amino acid supplement changes the mental and physical response to prolonged exercise versus a placebo (carbohydrate drink). This nutritional supplement could be useful on two levels. Improved mental focus and endurance performance and decreased central fatigue and muscle soreness could be valuable for enhancing athlete performance. Similarly, decreased central fatigue and muscle soreness may increase the willingness of the general public to exercise which could translate into decreased health risks and increased health benefits.

Conditions

Psychological Phenomena: Central Fatigue

Keywords

Branched Chain Amino Acids; Mental Performance; Muscular Performance; Central Fatigue Theory

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Isometric strength test

  Measured on a Biodex leg extension machine. Subjects performed a 5 second voluntary maximal isometric contraction and peak torque was measured.

  Two Months

• Stroop Test

  The Stroop test is a neuropsychological test to discern the subject's reaction time and cognitive processing speed. Subjects completed four subtasks in this test consisting of vocalizing the colour of boxes; random words; congruent word and colour; and incongruent word and colour.

  Two months

• Wing-Kristofferson Two-Model Test

  Subjects will tap their index finger to the beat of a metronome for 10 seconds (synchronization). The metronome will be stopped and the subject will continue tapping for 20 seconds (continuation).

  Two months

• Muscle Damage Markers

  Measurement of serum concentrations of creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), myoglobin, C-reactive protein (CRP).

  Two months

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Blood Glucose and Lactate

  Two months

• Plasma amino acid concentrations

  Two months

• Rating of Perceived Exertion

  Two months

Study Arms (3)

Carbohydrate Placebo

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Dietary Supplement: AminoVital Amino Acid formulation

Single Dose

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

The Amino Vital Focus Zone is a dietary supplement of amino acid mixture, which also contains some minerals, vitamin C, flavour, and sweetener, and its appearance is clear to slightly opaque powder. The Amino Vital Focus Zone contains the five kind of amino acid (L-Leucine, L-Isoleucine, L-Valine, L-Arginine, and L-Glutamine), Citric acid, Vitamin C, some mineral, and sweetener. Powdered treatments will be dissolved in water and administered orally. This treatment will contain 0.96 g of amino acids.

Dietary Supplement: Amino Vital Amino Acid formulation

Double Dose

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

The Amino Vital Focus Zone is a dietary supplement of amino acid mixture, which also contains some minerals, vitamin C, flavour, and sweetener, and its appearance is clear to slightly opaque powder. The Amino Vital Focus Zone contains the five kind of amino acid (L-Leucine, L-Isoleucine, L-Valine, L-Arginine, and L-Glutamine), Citric acid, Vitamin C, some mineral, and sweetener. Powdered treatments will be dissolved in water and administered orally. This treatment will contain 1.92 g of amino acids.

Dietary Supplement: Amino Vital Amino Acid formulation

Interventions

AminoVital Amino Acid formulation DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Contains minerals, vitamin C, flavour and sweetener.

Carbohydrate Placebo

Amino Vital Amino Acid formulation DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Contains minerals, vitamin C, flavour and sweetener and an amino acid mixture (2.4g of AA as: leucine, isoleucine, valine, arginine and glutamine).

Single Dose

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 30 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Male
• Aged 18 to 30 years old
• Non-obese (body mass index ≤ 30 kg/m2)
• Non-smoker

You may not qualify if:

• Any acute or chronic illness, cardiac, pulmonary, liver, or kidney abnormalities, uncontrolled hypertension, insulin- or non-insulin dependent diabetes or other metabolic disorders - all ascertained through medical history screening questionnaire.
• Arthritic conditions
• Individuals who cannot refrain from consuming any alcoholic beverages during the study
• Individuals who chronically consume any analgesic or anti-inflammatory drug(s), prescription or non-prescription
• A history of neuromuscular problems
• Individuals on any medications known to affect protein metabolism (i.e. corticosteroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, or prescription-strength acne medications)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• McMaster University: lead
• Ajinomoto USA, INC.: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

McMaster University

Hamilton, Ontario, L8S4K1, Canada

Location

Related Publications (16)

• Morgan RM, Parry AM, Arida RM, Matthews PM, Davies B, Castell LM. Effects of elevated plasma tryptophan on brain activation associated with the Stroop task. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2007 Feb;190(3):383-9. doi: 10.1007/s00213-006-0609-7. Epub 2006 Dec 19.

  PMID: 17180619 RESULT

• Blomstrand E. A role for branched-chain amino acids in reducing central fatigue. J Nutr. 2006 Feb;136(2):544S-547S. doi: 10.1093/jn/136.2.544S.

  PMID: 16424144 RESULT

• Newsholme EA, Blomstrand E. Branched-chain amino acids and central fatigue. J Nutr. 2006 Jan;136(1 Suppl):274S-6S. doi: 10.1093/jn/136.1.274S.

  PMID: 16365097 RESULT

• Blomstrand E. Amino acids and central fatigue. Amino Acids. 2001;20(1):25-34. doi: 10.1007/s007260170063.

  PMID: 11310928 RESULT

• Hassmen P, Blomstrand E, Ekblom B, Newsholme EA. Branched-chain amino acid supplementation during 30-km competitive run: mood and cognitive performance. Nutrition. 1994 Sep-Oct;10(5):405-10.

  PMID: 7819652 RESULT

• Ohtani M, Maruyama K, Sugita M, Kobayashi K. Amino acid supplementation affects hematological and biochemical parameters in elite rugby players. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2001 Sep;65(9):1970-6. doi: 10.1271/bbb.65.1970.

  PMID: 11676007 RESULT

• Negro M, Giardina S, Marzani B, Marzatico F. Branched-chain amino acid supplementation does not enhance athletic performance but affects muscle recovery and the immune system. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2008 Sep;48(3):347-51.

  PMID: 18974721 RESULT

• Shimomura Y, Yamamoto Y, Bajotto G, Sato J, Murakami T, Shimomura N, Kobayashi H, Mawatari K. Nutraceutical effects of branched-chain amino acids on skeletal muscle. J Nutr. 2006 Feb;136(2):529S-532S. doi: 10.1093/jn/136.2.529S.

  PMID: 16424141 RESULT

• Jeukendrup AE, Wallis GA. Measurement of substrate oxidation during exercise by means of gas exchange measurements. Int J Sports Med. 2005 Feb;26 Suppl 1:S28-37. doi: 10.1055/s-2004-830512.

  PMID: 15702454 RESULT

• Phillips SM, Green HJ, Tarnopolsky MA, Grant SM. Decreased glucose turnover after short-term training is unaccompanied by changes in muscle oxidative potential. Am J Physiol. 1995 Aug;269(2 Pt 1):E222-30. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.1995.269.2.E222.

  PMID: 7653539 RESULT

• Phillips SM, Green HJ, Tarnopolsky MA, Grant SM. Increased clearance of lactate after short-term training in men. J Appl Physiol (1985). 1995 Dec;79(6):1862-9. doi: 10.1152/jappl.1995.79.6.1862.

  PMID: 8847245 RESULT

• Phillips SM, Green HJ, Tarnopolsky MA, Heigenhauser GJ, Grant SM. Progressive effect of endurance training on metabolic adaptations in working skeletal muscle. Am J Physiol. 1996 Feb;270(2 Pt 1):E265-72. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.1996.270.2.E265.

  PMID: 8779948 RESULT

• Wilkinson SB, Tarnopolsky MA, Macdonald MJ, Macdonald JR, Armstrong D, Phillips SM. Consumption of fluid skim milk promotes greater muscle protein accretion after resistance exercise than does consumption of an isonitrogenous and isoenergetic soy-protein beverage. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 Apr;85(4):1031-40. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/85.4.1031.

  PMID: 17413102 RESULT

• Nosaka K, Sacco P, Mawatari K. Effects of amino acid supplementation on muscle soreness and damage. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2006 Dec;16(6):620-35. doi: 10.1123/ijsnem.16.6.620.

  PMID: 17342883 RESULT

• Mittleman KD, Ricci MR, Bailey SP. Branched-chain amino acids prolong exercise during heat stress in men and women. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1998 Jan;30(1):83-91. doi: 10.1097/00005768-199801000-00012.

  PMID: 9475648 RESULT

• Carvalho-Peixoto J, Alves RC, Cameron LC. Glutamine and carbohydrate supplements reduce ammonemia increase during endurance field exercise. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2007 Dec;32(6):1186-90. doi: 10.1139/H07-091.

  PMID: 18059593 RESULT

Study Officials

• Stuart M Phillips, Ph.D

  McMaster University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: phase 1
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: October 5, 2010
• First Posted: October 6, 2010
• Study Start: July 1, 2010
• Primary Completion: October 1, 2010
• Study Completion: October 1, 2010
• Last Updated: November 2, 2010

Record last verified: 2010-06

Locations

CA (1)