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

NCT ID: NCT01529281

Last Updated: 2012-02-08

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 12 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2011-06-30
• Study Completion Date: 2011-09-30

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

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: DOUBLE

Study Groups

BCAA

Branched chain amino acid

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Branch Chain Amino Acid (BCAA)

Intervention Type: 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.

Asparmate

Placebo control containing no protein or carbohydrate

Group Type: PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Placebo - asparmate

Intervention Type: 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.

Interventions

Branch Chain Amino Acid (BCAA)

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.

Intervention Type: DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Placebo - asparmate

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.

Intervention Type: DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Resistance trained males

Exclusion Criteria

• Muscular skeletal disorders

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 30 Years
• Eligible Sex: MALE
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Northumbria University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Glyn Howatson, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Northumbria University

References

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.

Reference Type: DERIVED

PMID: 22569039 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

Northumbria_How_BCAA

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id