The Influence of Branched Chain Amino Acid Leucine on Muscular Strength and Hypertrophy
Med Sci Sports Exerc May 2014 - Volume 46 - Supplement 1 5S p 481
The combination of exercise (stimulus), with a higher caloric intake seems to promote optimal cellular environment for anabolism of muscle tissue, either for therapeutic or aesthetic purposes. Thus the contribution of amino acids to the diet is essential for the proper development of muscle tissue.
Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyze the influence of supplementation with branched chain amino acid leucine on body composition in practicing resistance exercise.
METHODS: For this research we selected 18 males, mean weight of 75.4 ± 2.8 kg, mean circumference of the right arm of 39.6 ± 2.9, mean body fat of 13.1 ± 2.3% and an average frequency of weekly workout 5 days. The subjects were divided randomly into two groups: 9 individuals were supplemented with leucine 0.1g / kg / day for 30 days (GL) and the remaining 9 subjects were supplemented with maltodextrin 0.1g / kg / day (GP)
RESULTS: After 30 days of the experiment noted that the GP did not obtain a significant increase in muscle strength 43.10 ± 0.7. In contrast in GL there is a statistically significant difference (P <0.05), 44.55 ± 1.1. Anthropometric evaluation also noted differences between the experimental and placebo groups. The GP was 39.3 ± 0.4 to 39.5 ± 0.3 cm, while the GL once again demonstrated significant results 39.9 ± 0.5 to 40.6 ± 0.3 .
CONCLUSIONS: Based on these results we conclude therefore that short-term supplementation with branched chain amino acid leucine, results in increased muscle strength, which in turn, not separately but probably in conjunction with other factors yet to be clarified, leading to hypertrophy muscle.