Exercise-induced Muscle Damage
Conditions
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.
Interventions
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTBranch 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.
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTPlacebo - 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.
Sponsors
Northumbria University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
18 Years to 30 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
\- Resistance trained males
Exclusion criteria
\- Muscular skeletal disorders
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 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
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 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). |
Outcome results
None listed