Comparison of Pre-exercise Beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate Free Acid (HMB-FA) and Cold Water Therapy for the Attenuation of Muscle Damage and Soreness

Overview

Study Objectives 1. Compare beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate free acid (HMB-FA) to cold water immersion on performance recovery from an acute bout of high intensity resistance exercise. 2. Compare HMB-FA + Cold water immersion to HMB-FA or cold water immersion. 3. Examine the effect of these recovery modalities on markers of muscle damage, inflammation and immune function. Subjects Subjects (men and women, 18 – 35 y) with at least one year of resistance training experience will be recruited. Subjects will be randomly divided into one of four groups: a cold water immersion group (CW), HMB-FA, CW+HMB-FA and a control group (CT). Study Protocol Subjects will report to the Human Performance Laboratory (HPL) on four separate occasions. On the first visit (T1) subjects will be tested for maximal strength [one repetition-maximum (1-RM)] on the squat, dead lift and barbell lunge exercises.] On their second visit (T2) subjects will perform a lower body resistance exercise session consisting of four sets of the squat, dead lift and barbell lunge exercises. All subjects will then report back to the HPL at 24- (T3) and 48-hours (T4) post-exercise. During T3 and T4, subjects will perform four sets of the squat exercise only using the same loading pattern and rest interval length as T2. Following the T2 and T3 workouts subjects in CT will undergo no treatment; subjects in CW will be required to sit in a whirlpool tub for 10-min up to their umbilicus in water at 50° F – 54° F (10° C – 12° C); subjects in HMB-FA will be provided the supplement 30 min prior each workout and CW+HMB-FA will be administered together at time points describe above. Statistical Analysis Statistical evaluation of performance and biochemical changes will be accomplished using a repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Full Title of Study: “Comparison of Pre-exercise Beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate Free Acid (HMB-FA) and Cold Water Therapy for the Attenuation of Muscle Damage and Soreness in Experienced Resistance Trained Individuals.”

Study Type

  • Study Type: Interventional
  • Study Design
    • Allocation: Randomized
    • Intervention Model: Factorial Assignment
    • Primary Purpose: Basic Science
    • Masking: Double (Participant, Investigator)
  • Study Primary Completion Date: April 2013

Interventions

  • Procedure: cold water immersion
  • Dietary Supplement: beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate free acid (HMB-FA)
  • Dietary Supplement: Placebo

Arms, Groups and Cohorts

  • Placebo Comparator: Control
    • Placebo supplement given prior to exercise and two times per day following exercise
  • Experimental: cold water immersion
    • Placebo supplement to be give prior to exercise and two times per day following exercise in combination with cold water immersion therapy following exercise
  • Experimental: HMB-FA
    • beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate free acid supplement to be give prior to exercise and two times per day following exercise
  • Experimental: cold water immersion group + HMB-FA
    • beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate free acid supplement give prior to exercise and two times per day following exercise in combination with cold water immersion therapy following exercise

Clinical Trial Outcome Measures

Primary Measures

  • Maximal muscle strength
    • Time Frame: Change from baseline over 48 hours post-exercise.
    • The 1-RM tests will be performed to assess maximal muscle strength.

Secondary Measures

  • Muscle damage
    • Time Frame: Change from baseline over 48 hours post-exercise.
    • Serum creatine kinase and myoglobin concentrations will be analyzed as markers of muscle damage.

Participating in This Clinical Trial

Inclusion Criteria

  • At least one-year of resistance training experience – Free of any physical limitations (determined by health and activity questionnaire). – Between the ages of 18 and 35 Exclusion Criteria:

  • Inability to perform physical exercise (determined by health and activity questionnaire) – Taking any other nutritional supplement or performance enhancing drug (determined from health and activity questionnaire). – Any chronic illness that causes continuous medical care – Taking any type of prescription or over-the-counter medication, having any chronic illness causing you to seek medical care, pregnancy

Gender Eligibility: All

Minimum Age: 18 Years

Maximum Age: 35 Years

Are Healthy Volunteers Accepted: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Investigator Details

  • Lead Sponsor
    • Metabolic Technologies Inc.
  • Provider of Information About this Clinical Study
    • Sponsor

References

Ascensao A, Leite M, Rebelo AN, Magalhaes S, Magalhaes J. Effects of cold water immersion on the recovery of physical performance and muscle damage following a one-off soccer match. J Sports Sci. 2011 Feb;29(3):217-25. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2010.526132.

Fuller JC Jr, Sharp RL, Angus HF, Baier SM, Rathmacher JA. Free acid gel form of beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) improves HMB clearance from plasma in human subjects compared with the calcium HMB salt. Br J Nutr. 2011 Feb;105(3):367-72. doi: 10.1017/S0007114510003582. Epub 2010 Dec 7.

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