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

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.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Exercise-induced Muscle Damage
• Intervention / Treatment: Dietary supplement: Branch Chain Amino Acid (BCAA); Dietary supplement: Placebo - asparmate

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 12
• Phase: Not Applicable

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 30 years (Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: Male

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

- Resistance trained males

Exclusion Criteria:

- Muscular skeletal disorders

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Double

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: BCAA; Branched chain amino acid	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 Comparator: Asparmate; Placebo control containing no protein or carbohydrate	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.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
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 Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
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
Vertical jump	Vertical jump (VJ) performance was assessed using the Vertec instrument. Participants performed a counter movement jump.	pre-exercise, 24h, 48h, 72h, 96h
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
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

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Northumbria University

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• 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.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: June 1, 2011
• Primary Completion (Actual): September 1, 2011
• Study Completion (Actual): September 1, 2011

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 2, 2012
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 6, 2012
• First Posted (Estimate): February 8, 2012

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): February 8, 2012
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 6, 2012
• Last Verified: February 1, 2012

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: Northumbria_How_BCAA