Effect of branched-chain amino acids supplements ingestion on distance running during cooper test and some markers of muscular fatigue in students of athletic excellence

Abstract

The present study examined the effect of ingestion of branched-chain amino acids )BCAAs( supplements on distance running during cooper and some markers of muscular fatigue among elite athletes from Yarmouk University. Eleven athletes )20.73±1.93 year( participated in two trials )two weeks apart(. The study protocol entailed that each athlete ingested either 25 g of BCAAs dissolved in 500 ml water )amino acids trial( or solely 500 water )control trial( 2 hours prior to trial. Each athlete performed the cooper twelve-minute run on track following a standardized warm-up procedure of a 5-minute and 4 minute stretching for lower and upper limbs. Students' running distance was recorded and blood samples were collected after each trial. The results showed that the running distance was significantly longer in amino acids than control trial )3607m; 3501m, respectively( )α < 0.05(. Aldolase concentration and blood lactate were significantly lower (better) (α < 0.05(. There were no statistical significant differences in blood sugar and heart rate between trials. The study concludes that BCAAs supplement is ergogenic aid and attenuates markers of muscle fatigue.