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

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Exercise-induced Muscle Damage
• Interventions: Dietary Supplement: Branch Chain Amino Acid (BCAA); Dietary Supplement: Placebo - asparmate

• Registration Number: NCT01529281
• Lead Sponsor: Northumbria University

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.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2011-06
• Primary Completion: 2011-09
• Study Completion: 2011-09
• Status Verified: 2012-02
• Study First Submitted: 2012-02-02
• Study First Submitted QC: 2012-02-06
• Last Update Submitted: 2012-02-06
• Study First Posted: 2012-02-08
• Last Update Posted: 2012-02-08

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: Male
• Target Recruitment: 12

Inclusion Criteria

• Resistance trained males

Exclusion Criteria

• Muscular skeletal disorders

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
BCAA	Branch Chain Amino Acid (BCAA)	Branched chain amino acid
Asparmate	Placebo - asparmate	Placebo control containing no protein or carbohydrate

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Maximal voluntary contraction	pre exercise, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, 96 h post-exercise	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.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Limb girths	pre-exercise, 24h, 48h, 72h, 96h	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.
Vertical jump	pre-exercise, 24h, 48h, 72h, 96h	Vertical jump (VJ) performance was assessed using the Vertec instrument. Participants performed a counter movement jump.
Creatine kinase	pre-exercise, 24h, 48h, 72h, 96h	Plasma CK was determined from an earlobe capillary blood sample. The sample (30 microlitres) was analysed immediately using an automated, dry slide photospectrometer.
Muscle soreness	pre-exercise, 24h, 48h, 72h, 96h	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).