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Leucine Metabolites Do Not Enhance Training-induced Performance or Muscle Thickness.

Medicine and science in sports and exercise
January 1, 2019
Filipe J Teixeira et al. (11 authors)
Journal ArticlePragmatic Clinical TrialRandomized Controlled TrialHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

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.

Extracted Claims (23)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
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
Abstract

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.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AdolescentAdultAthletic PerformanceBiomarkersBody CompositionCaproatesCreatine KinaseDietary SupplementsDouble-Blind MethodHuman Growth HormoneHumansHydrocortisoneInsulin-Like Growth Factor IMaleMiddle AgedMuscle StrengthMuscle, SkeletalPerformance-Enhancing SubstancesResistance TrainingValeratesYoung Adult
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy10/10
Quality85/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations23
Citations/Year3.8
Relative Citation Ratio1.92
NIH Percentile73.3%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.75
Weight Score2.39
Normalized Score0.41
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