Effects of supplementation β‐hydroxy‐β‐methylbutyrate in mechanical efficiency in elite paddlers

Abstract

Objective

This prospective, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, checked the effect of the intake of 3 g/day‐1 of β‐Hidroxy‐β‐Methylbutyrato on the parameters of the force‐time curve in elite kayakers.

Method

24 paddlers, men, elite with 21.41 ± 5.35 years, 173.36 ± 8.27 cm and 69.83 ± 10.29 kg. Formed two groups, one supplemented (HMB) and another placebo (CON), both followed for 14 days and subjected to maximum test 4 min (pre and post) in a kayak ergometer.

Results

Point improvement in mechanical efficiency in line with the significant increase in the generated pulse (17.23% p = 0.02), average power (26.6% p = 0.01), stroke frequency (13.5% p = 0.04) before maximum test 4 min ergometer.

Conclusion

There was improvement in the ability to generate power, which may be associated with supplementation of β‐Hidroxy‐β‐Methylbutyrato by reducing catabolism during training, however the mechanism by which this may occur is still unknown.