The Effects of a Commercial Nutritional Supplement Combining Amino Acids, Glutamine, Carnitine and B-Vitamins on the Physiological Responses to Ultraendurance Triathlon Training, Performance and Recovery

In a placebo, double blind, randomized design, five male triathletes participated in a simulated triathlon which examined the physiological responses of a commercial nutritional supplement. The supplemental protocol included 7.1 gm·d-1 of an amino acid complex with B-vitamins (AA) and between 2.2-7.3 gm·d-1 META-MAX™ containing leucine, isoleucine, valine, glutamine and carnitine in which quantities were based on the athletes training volume. A maltodextrin carbohydrate replacement drink was also included in the protocol. The placebo was an isocaloric lactose substance. The supplements were ingested for 14 d prior to the simulated triathlon and then for 3 d after the event. On the day of the triathlon, the subjects ingested 3 capsules (2.2 gm) of the META-MAX™ or placebo 30 min prior to the performance of a 2 km swim, 90 km bike, and 21 km run. Every 60 min thereafter, 1 capsule (0.725 gm) of the META-MAX™ or placebo was ingested along with normal refueling practices. A 21 d washout period was observed between trials. The purpose of this study was to report the effects of the supplementation on the physiological and biochemical responses to ultraendurance triathlon training, performance and recovery. Results indicated no significant differences (p<0.05) in the caloric intake or pre-event protein intake between the placebo and treatment groups. Pre-race body composition revealed a tendency for lean body mass to increase (p=0.09) by 1.9 kg suggesting that whole body protein degradation may have been minimized during the training period. During the event, there were no significant differences in solid foods, fluids, or the combination of solids and fluids ingested between the trials. Performance results showed no significant differences (p<0.05) between the trials in the swim, bike, run, or final times. Results also indicated a significant increase with supplementation in VO2 by 10% during the cycling and 23% during the running. Other significant increases were found in overall mean triathlon values for HR (3%), Ve (15%), CPK (12%), insulin 16% and B-hydroxybutyrate (64%). Respiratory exchange ratio significantly decreased by 4% and 3% during the cycling and running, respectively, while other significant decreases were found in overall NEFA (16%), NH3 (23%), post run uric acid (14%), sweat urea nitrogen (13%), Mg (14%), Ca++ (8%) and serum iron (11 %) in the supplemented trial. Results suggest that the supplementation tended to reduce the degradation of lean body mass following training, increase fat oxidation while sparing carbohydrate metabolism and reducing protein degradation throughout performance and recovery.