Campbell, B., La Bounty, P. M., Oetken, A., Kreider, R. B., Greenwood, M., & Willoughby, D. S. (2009). The effects of branched chain amino acid supplementation on total lower body workout volume. ACSM 56th Annual Meeting, Seattle, Washington. Presentation number 2314.

This study investigated the effect of branched chain amino acid supplementation on total workout volume achieved during an acute bout of lower-body resistance exercise in comparison to a placebo. Recreationally active males were divided into a branched chain amino acids (N = 7) and a placebo (N = 7) group. Ss ingested either 80 mg/kg of branched chain amino acids divided into two equal doses or a similar tasting placebo in conjunction with a lower body resistance exercise (RE) bout. The resistance exercise bout consisted of four sets of leg press followed by four sets of knee extension at 80% 1 RM to failure. Only Ss who were able to achieve a minimum of eight repetitions at 80% of 1 RM on every set were included in the analysis. However, all Ss were required to achieve volitional fatigue. Rest periods between sets and exercises were approximately 150 seconds. Supplementation was administered 30 minutes and immediately before the resistance exercise. Total lower-body workout volume between groups was analyzed.

Total lower-body workout volume for the branched chain amino acid and placebo supplementation groups was not different.

Implication. Branched chain amino acid supplementation does not affect resistance exercise.

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