Negligible Effects of beta-Hydroxy-beta-Methylbutyrate Free Acid and Calcium Salt on Strength and Hypertrophic Responses to Resistance Training: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study

Author(s)

Tritto, Aline C. ^[1] ; Bueno, Salomao ^[1] ; Rodrigues, Rosa M. P. ^[2] ; Gualano, Bruno ^{[1, 3]} ; Roschel, Hamilton ^[1] ; Artioli, Guilherme G. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Appl Physiol & Nutr Res Grp, Sch Phys Educ & Sport, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Bone Metab Lab, Rheumatol Div, Fac Med FMUSP, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Appl Physiol & Nutr Res Grp, Rheumatol Div, Fac Med FMUSP, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SPORT NUTRITION AND EXERCISE METABOLISM; v. 29, n. 5, p. 505-511, SEP 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate free acid (HMB-FA) and calcium salt (HMB-Ca) on strength, hypertrophy, and markers of muscle damage. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 44 resistance-trained men (age: 26 +/- 4 years; body mass: 84.9 +/- 12.0 kg) consuming = 1.7 g.kg(-1).day(-1) of protein received HMB-FA (3 g/day; n = 14), HMB-Ca (3 g/day; n = 15), or placebo (PL; cornstarch, 3 g/day; n = 15) for 12 weeks, while performing a periodized resistance training program. Before and after intervention, lean body mass (measured with dual X-ray absorptiometry), maximal dynamic strength (one-repetition maximum), knee extension maximal isometric strength (maximal voluntary isometric contraction {[}MVIC]), cross-sectional area (measured with ultrasound), and muscle soreness were assessed. MVIC was also measured 48 hr after the first and the last training sessions. All groups increased lean body mass (main time effect: p < .0001; HMB-FA: 1.8 +/- 1.8 kg; HMB-Ca: 0.8 +/- 1.4 kg; PL: 0.9 +/- 1.4 kg), cross-sectional area (main time effect: p < .0001; HMB-FA: 6.6 +/- 3.8%; HMB-Ca: 4.7 +/- 4.4%; PL: 6.9 +/- 3.8%), one-repetition maximum bench press (main time effect: p < .0001; HMB-FA: 14.8 +/- 8.4 kg; HMB-Ca: 11.8 +/- 7.4 kg; PL: 11.2 +/- 6.6 kg), MVIC (main time effect: p < .0001; HMB-FA: 34.4 +/- 39.3%; HMB-Ca: 32.3 +/- 27.4%; PL: 17.7 +/- 20.9%) after the intervention, but no differences between groups were shown. HMB-FA group showed greater leg press strength after the intervention than HMB-Ca and PL groups (Group x Time interaction: p < .05; HMB-FA: 47.7 +/- 31.2 kg; HMB-Ca: 43.8 +/- 31.7 kg; PL: 30.2 +/- 20.9 kg). MVIC measured 48 hr after the first and the last sessions showed no attenuation of force decline with supplementation. Muscle soreness following the first and last sessions was not different between groups. The authors concluded that neither HMB-Ca nor HMB-FA improved hypertrophy or reduced muscle damage in resistance-trained men undergoing resistance training ingesting optimal amounts of protein. HMB-FA but not HMB-Ca resulted in a statistically significant yet minor improvement on leg press one-repetition maximum. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/11948-8 - Life without carnosine: development and characterization of a KO rat model for studying the physiological role of carnosine and its implications to physical exercise and muscle metabolism
• Grantee: Guilherme Giannini Artioli
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants