For many athletes, they have an esurient appetite for finding dietary supplements that can improve athletic performance. This class of supplements are often referred to as, “ergogenic.”
Though the research on many of these supplements is often limited, let’s take a look at some recent research regarding oral beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate or HMB.
In this present study, test subjects consumed 3 grams per day of oral HMB for a duration of 5 weeks. During this time, they underwent interval training three times per week.
From the Study Authors:
“The aim of this study was to determine the effects of oral beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) supplementation (3 g/d) on selected components of aerobic performance and body composition of active college students. Subjects were randomly assigned to either an HMB (n=8) or a placebo (PLA) group (n=8) for a 5-wk supplementation period during which they underwent interval training 3 times a week on a treadmill.”
The authors concluded that HMB supplementation positively affects selected components of aerobic performance in active college students.
Does HMB Work?
In short, this study suggests that oral HMB improves aerobic performance.
Reference
- Lamboley CR, Royer D, Dionne IJ. Effects of beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate on aerobic-performance components and body composition in college students. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2007 Feb;17(1):56-69.
About Jarret Morrow, M.D.
[...] essential amino acids prior to and/or following exercise to increase muscle mass.Possibly effective:β-hydroxy β-methylbutyrate (HMB)Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAA)Too early to tell:α-ketoglutarate (α-KG)α-Ketoisocaproate [...]
[...] β-hydroxy β-methylbutyrate (HMB) [...]