No effect of HMB or α‐HICA supplementation on training‐induced changes in body composition
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abstract
Abstractβ‐hydroxy‐β‐methylbutyrate (calcium: HMB‐Ca and free acid: HMB‐FA) and α‐hydroxyisocaproic acid (α‐HICA) are leucine metabolites that have been proposed to improve body composition and strength when combined with resistance exercise training (RET). In this double‐blind randomized controlled pragmatic trial, we evaluated the effects of off‐the‐shelf supplements: α‐HICA, HMB‐FA and HMB‐Ca, on RET‐induced changes in body composition and performance. Forty men were blocked randomized to receive α‐HICA (n = 10, fat‐free mass [FFM] = 62.0 ± 7.1 kg), HMB‐FA (n = 11, FFM = 62.7 ± 10.5 kg), HMB‐Ca (n = 9, FFM = 65.6 ± 10.1 kg) or placebo (PLA; n = 10, FFM = 64.2 ± 5.7 kg). The training protocol consisted of a whole‐body resistance training routine, thrice weekly for 8 weeks. Body composition was assessed by dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) and total body water (TBW) by whole‐body bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS), both at baseline and at the end of weeks 4 and 8. Time‐dependent changes were observed for increase in trunk FFM (p < 0.05). No statistically significant between‐group or group‐by‐time interactions were observed. Supplementation with HMB (FA and Ca) or α‐HICA failed to enhance body composition to a greater extent than placebo. We do not recommend these leucine metabolites for improving body composition changes with RET in young adult resistance trained men.
