Leucine Metabolites Do Not Enhance Training-induced Performance or Muscle Thickness.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the effects of leucine metabolites, including calcium-bound HMB (HMB-Ca), on resistance training-induced changes in muscle thickness and performance.
Results Summary
The study found no significant ergogenic effects of HMB-Ca or other leucine metabolites on muscle growth, strength, or performance measures compared to placebo. All groups showed similar time-dependent improvements, with no between-group differences.
Population
40 young adult men engaged in resistance training.
Effective Dosage
Not specified in the abstract.
Duration
8 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
α-HICA | no change | muscle growth and strength development | young adult men | - | no ergogenic effects | #1 |
HMB-FA | no change | muscle growth and strength development | young adult men | - | no ergogenic effects | #2 |
HMB-Ca | no change | muscle growth and strength development | young adult men | - | no ergogenic effects | #3 |
leucine metabolites (α-HICA, HMB-FA, HMB-Ca) | no change | muscle thickness | young adult men | - | no significant between-group or time-group interactions | #4 |
leucine metabolites (α-HICA, HMB-FA, HMB-Ca) | no change | one repetition maximum bench press | young adult men | - | no significant between-group or time-group interactions | #5 |
leucine metabolites (α-HICA, HMB-FA, HMB-Ca) | no change | one repetition maximum squat | young adult men | - | no significant between-group or time-group interactions | #6 |
leucine metabolites (α-HICA, HMB-FA, HMB-Ca) | no change | Wingate peak power | young adult men | - | no significant between-group or time-group interactions | #7 |
leucine metabolites (α-HICA, HMB-FA, HMB-Ca) | no change | countermovement jump height | young adult men | - | no significant between-group or time-group interactions | #8 |
leucine metabolites (α-HICA, HMB-FA, HMB-Ca) | no change | countermovement jump power | young adult men | - | no significant between-group or time-group interactions | #9 |
leucine metabolites (α-HICA, HMB-FA, HMB-Ca) | no change | creatine kinase | young adult men | - | no significant between-group or time-group interactions | #10 |
leucine metabolites (α-HICA, HMB-FA, HMB-Ca) | no change | insulin-like growth factor-1 | young adult men | - | no significant between-group or time-group interactions | #11 |
leucine metabolites (α-HICA, HMB-FA, HMB-Ca) | no change | growth hormone | young adult men | - | no significant between-group or time-group interactions | #12 |
leucine metabolites (α-HICA, HMB-FA, HMB-Ca) | no change | cortisol | young adult men | - | no significant between-group or time-group interactions | #13 |
resistance training | increase | muscle thickness | young adult men | - | time-dependent changes | #14 |
resistance training | increase | one repetition maximum bench press | young adult men | - | time-dependent changes | #15 |
resistance training | increase | one repetition maximum squat | young adult men | - | time-dependent changes | #16 |
resistance training | increase | Wingate peak power | young adult men | - | time-dependent changes | #17 |
resistance training | increase | countermovement jump height | young adult men | - | time-dependent changes | #18 |
resistance training | increase | countermovement jump power | young adult men | - | time-dependent changes | #19 |
resistance training | increase | creatine kinase | young adult men | - | time-dependent changes | #20 |
resistance training | increase | insulin-like growth factor-1 | young adult men | - | time-dependent changes | #21 |
resistance training | increase | growth hormone | young adult men | - | time-dependent changes | #22 |
resistance training | increase | cortisol | young adult men | - | time-dependent changes | #23 |
UNLABELLED: Leucine metabolites, α-hydroxyisocaproic acid (α-HICA) and β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (calcium, HMB-Ca and free acid, HMB-FA), have been proposed to augment resistance training-induced changes in body composition and performance. PURPOSE: We aimed to conduct a double-blind randomized controlled pragmatic trial to evaluate the effects of off-the-shelf leucine metabolite supplements of α-HICA, HMB-FA, and HMB-Ca on resistance training-induced changes in muscle thickness and performance. METHODS: Forty men were randomly assigned to receive α-HICA (n = 10, fat-free mass [FFM] = 62.0 ± 7.1 kg), HMB-FA (n = 11, FFM = 62.7 ± 10.5 kg), HMB-Ca (n = 9, FFM = 65.6 ± 10.1 kg), or placebo (PLA; n = 10, FFM = 64.2 ± 5.7 kg). The training program consisted of whole body thrice weekly resistance training for 8 wk (seven exercises per session, three to four sets per session, at 70%-80% one repetition maximum). Skeletal muscle thickness by ultrasound, performance measures, and blood measures (creatine kinase, insulin-like growth factor 1, growth hormone, cortisol, and total testosterone) were evaluated at baseline and at the end of weeks 4 and 8. RESULTS: Time-dependent changes were observed for muscle thickness (P < 0.001), one repetition maximum bench press and squat (P < 0.001), Wingate peak power (P = 0.02), countermovement jump height (P = 0.03), power (P = 0.006), creatine kinase, insulin-like growth factor-1, growth hormone, and cortisol (all P < 0.001). No significant between-group or time-group interactions were observed. CONCLUSIONS: No leucine metabolite resulted in any ergogenic effects on any outcome variable. Supplementation with leucine metabolites-α-HICA, HMB-FA, or HMB-Ca-is not a supplementation strategy that improves muscle growth and strength development in young adult men.