DHEA SUPPLEMENTATION MIGHT BENEFIT RECOVERY

Yi-Hung, L., Quan-Fu, L., Mou-Chou, L., Chin-De, C., Wei-Hsiang, C., Chung-Yu, C., & Chia-Hua, K. (2007). Effect of dehydroepiandrosterone administration on recovery capacity during training session in male badminton players. ACSM Annual Meeting New Orleans, Presentation Number 2581.

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This study determined the effect of Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) administration on post-exercise recovery capacity during badminton-specific training program. Well-trained male badminton players (N = 16) were matched on body fat percentage and assigned to a DHEA or placebo group. Baseline measurements were taken on Day 0. Ss ingested their supplement daily from Day 0 through Day 5 (DHEA group: 100 mg/day; Placebo group: flour placebo). Ss performed a 6-day standard badminton-specific training program, which included a high-intensity shuttle run on Day 2. The visualized DOMS index and blood creatine kinase level were used to evaluate recovery status. Plasma DHEA-S and total testosterone levels also were assessed.

Plasma DHEA-S (the sulphate derivative of DHEA that contributes to buffering capacity) from day 2-6 and total testosterone levels for days 3-6 were significantly higher in the DHEA group than in the placebo group. Both DHEA-S and total testosterone levels dropped dramatically after Day 3 following the high intensity shuttle run. For the recovery status, the DHEA group showed a significant reduction in the visualized DOMS index on Days 3 and 6 and decreases in blood creatine kinase levels from Day 4 through 6.

Implication. In well-trained male badminton players, DHEA administration demonstrated some beneficial effects on improving post-exercise recovery capacity (possibly due to the buffering action of DHEA-S to prevent further muscle damage). The incomplete nature of recovery effects warrants cautious interpretations of this study.

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