Journal Article

Branched-chain amino acid supplementation and exercise-induced muscle damage in exercise recovery: A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

Mollahosseini, Mehdi, Rahimi, Mohammad Hossein, Shab-Bidar, Sakineh, Djafarian, Kurosh

2017

Overview

Accumulating evidence suggests positive effects of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) on moderate muscle damage. However, findings vary substantially across studies. The aim of this review was to examine the effect of BCAAs on recovery following exercise-induced muscle damage. Controlled trials were identified through a computerized literature search and tracking of citations performed up to November 2015. To pool data, either a fixed-effects or a random-effects model was used; for assessing heterogeneity, Cochran's Q and I2 tests were used. Eight trials met the inclusion criteria. Pooled data from the eight studies showed that BCAAs significantly reduced creatine kinase at two follow-up times (<24 and 24 h) in comparison with placebo recovery (<24 h: mean difference, –71.55 U/L, 95% confidence interval, –93.49 to –49.60, P < 0.000, n = 5 trials; 24 h: mean difference, –145.04 U/L, 95% confidence interval, –253.66 to –36.43, P = 0.009, n = 8 trials). In contrast, effects were not significant in any of the follow-up times for muscle soreness or lactate dehydrogenase. The current evidence-based information indicates that use of BCAAs is better than passive recovery or rest after various forms of exhaustive and damaging exercise. The advantages relate to a reduction in muscle soreness and ameliorated muscle function because of an attenuation of muscle strength and muscle power loss after exercise. •Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) significantly reduced creatine kinase for up to 24 h.•BCAAs demonstrated no beneficial effects in any of the follow-up times for muscle soreness and lactate dehydrogenase.•BCAA is better than passive recovery or rest after various forms of exhaustive and damaging exercise.

• Publisher: Elsevier Inc,Elsevier Limited
• Subject: Amino acids / Branch-chain amino acids / Chain branching / Clinical trials / confidence interval / Creatine / Creatine kinase / Damage / Exercise / Gastroenterology and Hepatology / Heterogeneity / Intervention / Kinases / L-Lactate dehydrogenase / Lactate dehydrogenase / Lactic acid / Literature reviews / Meta-analysis / Muscle damage / Muscle soreness / Muscle strength / muscles / Musculoskeletal system / placebos / randomized clinical trials / Recovery / Supplements / Vitamin E