Effect of glutamine supplementation combined with resistance training on muscular performance, body composition and protein degradation

Abstract

The purpose was to assess the effect of oral glutamine supplementation combined with resistance training in young adults. Thirty-one subjects, aged 18- 24, were randomized (double blind) to receive glutamine (0.9g/kg lean tissue mass; n=17) or placebo (0.9g/kg lean tissue mass; n=14) during 6 weeks of total body resistance training. Exercises were performed for 4-5 sets of 6-12 repetitions at intensities ranging from 60-90% 1-RM. Before and after training, measures were taken for 1-repetition maximum squat and bench press strength, peak knee extension/ flexion torque (Biodex isokinetic dynamometer), lean tissue mass (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry) and muscle protein degradation (urinary 3-Methylhistidine by high performance liquid chromatography [HPLC]). Repeated measures ANOVA showed that strength, torque, lean tissue mass and 3- Methylhistidine increased with training (p