Hoffman, J. R., Williams, D. R., Emerson, N. S., Hoffman, M. W., Wells, A. J., McVeigh, D. M., McCormack, W. P., Mangine, G. T., Gonzalez, A. M., & Fragala, M. S. (2012). L-Alanyl-L-Glutamine ingestion maintains performance during a competitive basketball game. Presentation 1841 at the 59th Annual Meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine, San Francisco, California; May 29-June 2, 2012.

This study examined the efficacy of L-alanyl-L-glutamine ingestion on basketball performance, including jump power, reaction time, shooting accuracy and fatigue during a women's (N = 10) basketball game. Ss participated in four trials, each consisting of a 40-minute basketball game with controlled time-outs for rehydration. During the first trial (baseline) Ss were not allowed to rehydrate, and the total weight lost during the contest was used to determine fluid replenishment during the subsequent three experimental trials. During one trial Ss consumed only water, while during the other two trials Ss consumed the L-alanyl-L-glutamine supplement marketed as Sustamine™ mixed in water using either a low-dose (1 g/500 ml) or high-dose (2 g/500 ml) concentration.

During the first trial game Ss lost ~1.72 kg (2.3% loss of body mass). No differences in fluid intake (~1.55 liters) were seen between rehydration trials. A 12.5% difference in basketball shooting performance was noted between the first game and low-dose supplement and an 11.1% difference was seen between low-dose supplement and the water games. Visual reaction time was significantly greater following low-dose compared to baseline. Differences in fatigue, as determined by player loads, were seen only between the high-dose supplement and baseline. No significant differences were seen in the pre- to post-game differences in either peak or mean vertical jump power during any trial.

Implication. In basketball games, rehydration with an L-alanyl-L-glutamine supplement appears to maintain basketball skill performance and visual reaction time to a greater extent than water only in female players.

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