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

Exercise-induced Muscle Damage Clinical Trial

Official title:

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

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT01529281
• Other study ID #: Northumbria_How_BCAA
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• First received: February 2, 2012
• Last updated: February 6, 2012
• Start date: June 2011
• Est. completion date: September 2011

Study information

• Verified date: February 2012
• Source: Northumbria University
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Health authority: United Kingdom: Food Standards Agency
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial 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.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 12
• Est. completion date: September 2011
• Est. primary completion date: September 2011
• Accepts healthy volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers
• Gender: Male
• Age group: 18 Years to 30 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Resistance trained males

Exclusion Criteria:

• Muscular skeletal disorders

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Double Blind (Subject, Investigator), Primary Purpose: Treatment

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Exercise-induced Muscle Damage

Intervention

Dietary Supplement:
• 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.
• 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.

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
n/a

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Northumbria University

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	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	No
Secondary	Limb girths	Mid-thigh and calf circumference was assessed as a measure of limb swelling using an anthropometric tape measure. Both measures were obtained with the participant in a standing position.	pre-exercise, 24h, 48h, 72h, 96h	No
Secondary	Vertical jump	Vertical jump (VJ) performance was assessed using the Vertec instrument. Participants performed a counter movement jump.	pre-exercise, 24h, 48h, 72h, 96h	No
Secondary	Creatine kinase	Plasma CK was determined from an earlobe capillary blood sample. The sample (30 microlitres) was analysed immediately using an automated, dry slide photospectrometer.	pre-exercise, 24h, 48h, 72h, 96h	No
Secondary	Muscle soreness	Muscle soreness - Participants were asked to perform and hold a squat (90° knee angle) whilst they rated their perceived muscle soreness on a 200 mm visual analogue scale. The scale consisted of a line from 0 mm (no pain) to 200 mm (unbearably painful).	pre-exercise, 24h, 48h, 72h, 96h	No