Branched-Chain Amino Acid Supplementation during Repeated Prolonged Skiing Exercises at Altitude

Abstract

This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that a branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) supplementation would minimize changes in body composition and alterations in plasma amino acid profile induced by prolonged exercises at altitude. Twenty-four highly trained subjects participated in six successive sessions of ski mountaineering (6-8 hr duration, altitude 2,500-4,100 m). Twelve subjects took a dietary supplement of BCAA (BCAA group) and 12 took a dietary supplement that was 98% carbohydrate (C group). Body weight decreased in C subjects (-2.1%,p < .01), while the body weight loss recorded in the BCAA group was not statistically significant (-1.2%, NS). Changes in body composition that resulted from repeated skiing exercise at altitude were not significantly minimized by BCAA administration. Peak power output recorded during an incremental bicycle exercise decreased in C subjects but did not change significantly in BCAA subjects. Results of this study demonstrate that neither changes in body composition related to the ski mountaineering program nor muscular performance during isometric contraction was significantly affected by BCAA administration.

Body composition at high altitude: a randomized placebo-controlled trial of dietary carbohydrate supplementation

“…Thus, the results presented herein are particularly relevant to those people similarly acclimatizing to altitudes of '5500 m. Admittedly, higher calorie intake can be obtained with a high-fat supplement, but palatability would be poor. Interestingly, alternative macronutrient dietary manipulations at a high altitude have also been unsuccessful; studies of increased protein intakes have failed to abate body mass loss and have even had detrimental effects, including decreases in carbohydrate intake and in physical performance (47)(48)(49). Another study used a solid food carbohydrate supplement, but total energy intake did not increase (44).…”

ISSN exercise & sport nutrition review: research & recommendations

“…For example, Schena and colleagues [126] reported that BCAA supplementation (~10 g/d) during 21-days of trekking at altitude increased fat free mass (1.5%) while subjects ingesting a placebo had no change in muscle mass. Bigard and associates [127] reported that BCAA supplementation appeared to minimize loss of muscle mass in subjects training at altitude for 6-weeks. Finally, Candeloro and coworkers [128] reported that 30 days of BCAA supplementation (14 grams/day) promoted a significant increase in muscle mass (1.3%) and grip strength (+8.1%) in untrained subjects.…”

The Effects of Two Different Dosages of BCAA Supplementation on A Serum Indicators of Muscle Damage in Wrestlers

“…The human body cannot synthesize these amino acids and must be included in the diet (13,26,29). There is some evidence showing that the consumption of branched amino acids has an anticatabolic effect during and after exercise (2,3,4,27,28). The theory has been proposed that branched amino acid supplementation can increase the healing rate from muscle damage after exercise (8,10,14,18).…”