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CLINICAL TRIAL article

Front. Nutr.
Sec. Sport and Exercise Nutrition
Volume 11 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1463202

The effect of acute branched-chain amino acids ingestion on rate of force development in different time intervals: A controlled crossover study

Provisionally accepted
Xi-Nuan Zhang Xi-Nuan Zhang 1Long-Ji Li Long-Ji Li 1*Yan-Hao Tu Yan-Hao Tu 1*Li-Feng Zhang Li-Feng Zhang 1*Hua-yu Shang Hua-yu Shang 1Meng Liu Meng Liu 2*Ming-Da Li Ming-Da Li 1*
  • 1 Chengdu Sport University, Chengdu, China
  • 2 Chongqing Institute of Sports Science, Chongqing, China

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Background: Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are widely used as sports nutrition supplements. However, their impact on the rate of force development (RFD), an indicator of explosive muscle strength, has not yet been validated. This study aimed to assess the impact of BCAA supplementation on the RFD in college basketball players during simulated games.This study employed a randomized, controlled crossover, double-blind design. Participants received either BCAAs (0.17 g/kg combined with 0.17 g/kg isocaloric glucose) or a placebo (0.34 g/kg isocaloric glucose) orally 30 minutes before beginning the exercise protocol. The RFD was quantified using the isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) test. Additional outcome measures, including strength and jump tests, agility and sprinting tests, and physiological responses, were also assessed. A two-way repeated measures ANOVA was employed to evaluate the impact of supplements (BCAAs and placebo) on RFD and other related outcome measures.Results: Analysis of the 50ms RFD demonstrated significant main effects of BCAA supplementation (p = 0.003). The BCAAs group consistently exhibited higher levels of 50ms RFD compared to the placebo group across rounds 1 to 4. For example, in round 1, the 50ms RFD was 3702.3 ± 1223.2 N/S in the BCAAs group versus 2931.3 ± 888.8 N/S in the placebo group (p = 0.045). Although no significant between-group differences were observed for the 100ms, 150ms, 200ms, and 250ms RFD measurements, the BCAAs group consistently showed superior values across all time points. The results of other outcome indicators also suggested that supplementation with BCAAs was indeed effective.The results indicate that BCAA supplementation can enhance RFD in basketball players, particularly at the 50ms RFD. Our research design provides reliable insights into the effects of BCAAs on athletic performance. Further studies of similar design with larger sample sizes are necessary to confirm and extend these findings.

    Keywords: Branched-chain amino acids, BCAAs, Sports Nutrition, rate of force development, Controlled cross-over study

    Received: 21 Aug 2024; Accepted: 23 Dec 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Zhang, Li, Tu, Zhang, Shang, Liu and Li. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence:
    Long-Ji Li, Chengdu Sport University, Chengdu, China
    Yan-Hao Tu, Chengdu Sport University, Chengdu, China
    Li-Feng Zhang, Chengdu Sport University, Chengdu, China
    Meng Liu, Chongqing Institute of Sports Science, Chongqing, China
    Ming-Da Li, Chengdu Sport University, Chengdu, China

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.