Exercise-induced Muscle Damage is Reduced in Resistance Trained Athletes by Branch Chain Amino Acids

NCT01529281 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: Northumbria_How_BCAA
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 12
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

It is well documented that exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) decreases muscle function and causes severe soreness and discomfort. Branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) supplementation has been shown to increase protein synthesis and decrease muscle protein breakdown, however, the effects of BCAAs on recovery from EIMD are unknown. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the effects of a BCAA supplement on markers of muscle damage.

Conditions

Exercise-induced Muscle Damage

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Maximal voluntary contraction

  Isometric MVC of the participants' dominant knee extensors was assessed using a strain gauge. MVCs were performed for 3 s with a 60 s rest between each repetition.

  pre exercise, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, 96 h post-exercise

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Limb girths

  pre-exercise, 24h, 48h, 72h, 96h

• Vertical jump

  pre-exercise, 24h, 48h, 72h, 96h

• Creatine kinase

  pre-exercise, 24h, 48h, 72h, 96h

• Muscle soreness

  pre-exercise, 24h, 48h, 72h, 96h

Study Arms (2)

BCAA

EXPERIMENTAL

Branched chain amino acid

Dietary Supplement: Branch Chain Amino Acid (BCAA)

Asparmate

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Placebo control containing no protein or carbohydrate

Dietary Supplement: Placebo - asparmate

Interventions

Branch Chain Amino Acid (BCAA) DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Supplementation lasted for a total of 12 days; this was based on previous research showing a positive with BCAA supplementation on markers of muscle damage. Participants ingested 10 g, twice per day (morning and evening) of BCAA . The BCAA supplement contained a ratio of 2:1:1 (leucine, isoleucine and valine, respectively). The BCAA was in powder form where each serving was mixed with \~300 ml of water.

BCAA

Placebo - asparmate DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Supplementation lasted for a total of 12 days. Participants ingested an equivalent looking volume to 10 g of BCAA, twice per day (morning and evening) of placebo (aspartame based artificial sweetener). The BCAA supplement contained a ratio of 2:1:1 (leucine, isoleucine and valine, respectively). The artificial sweetener was in powder form where each serving was mixed with \~300 ml of water.

Asparmate

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• \- Resistance trained males

You may not qualify if:

• \- Muscular skeletal disorders

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Northumbria University: lead

Related Publications (1)

• Howatson G, Hoad M, Goodall S, Tallent J, Bell PG, French DN. Exercise-induced muscle damage is reduced in resistance-trained males by branched chain amino acids: a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2012 Jul 12;9:20. doi: 10.1186/1550-2783-9-20. eCollection 2012.

  PMID: 22569039 DERIVED

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Amino Acids

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins

Study Officials

• Glyn Howatson, PhD

  Northumbria University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 2, 2012
• First Posted: February 8, 2012
• Study Start: June 1, 2011
• Primary Completion: September 1, 2011
• Study Completion: September 1, 2011
• Last Updated: February 8, 2012

Record last verified: 2012-02