Hatfield, D. L., Spiering, B. A., Fragala, M. S., Vingren, J. L., Ho, J. Y., Forsythe, C. E., Yamamoto, L. M., Puglisi, M. J., Anderson, J. M., Maresh, C. M., Volek, J. S., & Kraemer, W. J. (2007). Effects of Muscle Armor supplementation during a resistance training program on body composition and performance outcomes in men. ACSM Annual Meeting New Orleans, Presentation Number, 1587.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of an over-the-counter supplement (Muscle Armor - a multi-nutritional supplement including amino acids/beta-Hydroxy-beta-Methylbutyrate/carbohydrate) on resistance training gains in strength and power, and body composition changes over a 12-week period using a highly controlled nutritional intake component. Males (N = 17) were matched for squat and bench strength one-repetition maximum (1 RM), body mass, height, vertical jump power, and body composition and randomly assigned to either the Muscle Armor supplement group (N = 8) or an isonitrogenous matched placebo group (N = 9). Both groups underwent a 12-week, full-body, intensive, non-linear periodized resistance-training program. Pre-, mid-, and post-testing consisted of 1 RM testing in the squat and bench press exercises, body composition testing via dual energy x-ray absorptometry, and a countermovement vertical jump test for power determination using a force plate.

The Muscle Armor group recorded a significantly greater weight gain than the placebo group over the 12 weeks. Body fat loss was significantly greater at both mid- and post-training in the Muscle Armor group compared to the placebo group. The Muscle Armor group made significantly greater percentage gains in 1 RM strength in the squat and bench press over the first six weeks and post-training compared to the placebo group. Maximal power in the counter-movement vertical jump also improved at a faster rate in the Muscle Armor group than in the placebo group, yielding significantly higher percentage gains at mid- and post-training time points.

Implication. Muscle Armor supplementation produced significant improvements in performance and structure than an isonitrogenous placebo control group during an intensive, periodized, resistance training program.

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