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- Title
Ten weeks of branched-chain amino acid supplementation improves select performance and immunological variables in trained cyclists.
- Authors
Kephart, Wesley; Wachs, Taylor; Mac Thompson, R.; Brooks Mobley, C.; Fox, Carlton; McDonald, James; Ferguson, Brian; Young, Kaelin; Nie, Ben; Martin, Jeffrey; Company, Joseph; Pascoe, David; Arnold, Robert; Moon, Jordan; Roberts, Michael
- Abstract
We examined if supplementing trained cyclists (32 ± 2 year, 77.8 ± 2.6 kg, and 7.4 ± 1.2 year training) with 12 g/day (6 g/day l-Leucine, 2 g/day l-Isoleucine and 4 g/day l-Valine) of either branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs, n = 9) or a maltodextrin placebo (PLA, n = 9) over a 10-week training season affected select body composition, performance, and/or immune variables. Before and after the 10-week study, the following was assessed: (1) 4-h fasting blood draws; (2) dual X-ray absorptiometry body composition; (3) Wingate peak power tests; and (4) 4 km time-trials. No group × time interactions existed for total lean mass ( P = 0.27) or dual-leg lean mass ( P = 0.96). A significant interaction existed for body mass-normalized relative peak power (19 % increase in the BCAA group pre- to post-study, P = 0.01), and relative mean power (4 % increase in the BCAA group pre- to post-study, P = 0.01). 4 km time-trial time to completion approached a significant interaction ( P = 0.08), as the BCAA group improved in this measure by 11 % pre- to post-study, though this was not significant ( P = 0.15). There was a tendency for the BCAA group to present a greater post-study serum BCAA: l-Tryptophan ratio compared to the PLA group ( P = 0.08). A significant interaction for neutrophil number existed ( P = 0.04), as there was a significant 18 % increase within the PLA group from the pre- to post-study time point ( P = 0.01). Chronic BCAA supplementation improves sprint performance variables in endurance cyclists. Additionally, given that BCAA supplementation blunted the neutrophil response to intense cycling training, BCAAs may benefit immune function during a prolonged cycling season.
- Subjects
BRANCHED chain amino acids; CYCLIST physiology; IMMUNITY; VALINE; PLACEBOS; PERFORMANCE evaluation; DUAL-energy X-ray absorptiometry
- Publication
Amino Acids, 2016, Vol 48, Issue 3, p779
- ISSN
0939-4451
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s00726-015-2125-8