Short Term HMB-FA Supplementation Decreases Muscle Damage Markers After Soccer Matches

The aim of the present study was to investigate The effect of HMB-FA supplementation on the muscle damage markers after soccer matches. 24 male soccer players (age: 23±3 years, BMI: 22.8±2 kg/m2) were voluntarily selected as the statistical sample of this study and were divided into two Suppplement and Placebo groups (n=12). In this study, subjects participated in a weekly soccer microcycle with two matches. Subjects in the supplement-training group consumed three grams of HMB-FA daily during a weekly soccer cycle. Blood samples were taken in seven times (before supplementation, before the first match, immediately after the first match, 24 hours after the first match, before the second match, immediately after the second match, 24 hours after the second match). Plasma concentrations of creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were measured by ELISA kits. Data analysis was performed using Friedman, Wilcoxon, Kruskal-Wallis and U Mann-Whitney tests with a significance level of p ≥ 0.05. After supplementation, a significant decrease in plasma levels of lactate dehydrogenase (before and after the first match) and creatine kinase (in the times immediately after the first match and before the second match) was observed (for all, p <0.05). Intaking HMB-FA supplement reduced the markers of muscle damage, which is essential for recovery from injuries caused by training and competition during a two race cycle. In addition, inaking HMB-FA supplement may have other effects, including reducing neuromuscular fatigue, reducing the inflammatory response, and rapid skeletal muscle regeneration, which requires further study.