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The Addition of Beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate andIsomaltulose to Whey Protein Improves Recovery fromHighly Demanding Resistance ExerciseWilliam J. Kraemer PhD FACNa, David R. Hooper MAa, Tunde K. Szivak MAa, Brian R. KupchakPhDb, Courtenay Dunn-Lewis PhDb, Brett A. Comstock PhDb, Shawn D. Flanagan MA MHAa,David P. Looney MSb, Adam J. Sterczala MSb, William H. DuPont MSa, J. Luke Pryor MSb, Hiu-Ying Luk MSb, Jesse Maladoungdock MSb, Danielle McDermott MSb, Jeff S. Volek PhD RDa &Carl M. Maresh PhDaa Department of Human Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohiob Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, Storrs, ConnecticutPublished online: 11 Mar 2015.

To cite this article: William J. Kraemer PhD FACN, David R. Hooper MA, Tunde K. Szivak MA, Brian R. Kupchak PhD,Courtenay Dunn-Lewis PhD, Brett A. Comstock PhD, Shawn D. Flanagan MA MHA, David P. Looney MS, Adam J. SterczalaMS, William H. DuPont MS, J. Luke Pryor MS, Hiu-Ying Luk MS, Jesse Maladoungdock MS, Danielle McDermott MS, Jeff S.Volek PhD RD & Carl M. Maresh PhD (2015): The Addition of Beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate and Isomaltulose to WheyProtein Improves Recovery from Highly Demanding Resistance Exercise, Journal of the American College of Nutrition, DOI:10.1080/07315724.2014.938790

To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/07315724.2014.938790

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Original Research

The Addition of Beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrateand Isomaltulose to Whey Protein ImprovesRecovery fromHighly Demanding ResistanceExercise

William J. Kraemer, PhD, David R. Hooper, MA, Tunde K. Szivak, MA, Brian R. Kupchak, PhD,

Courtenay Dunn-Lewis, PhD, Brett A. Comstock, PhD, Shawn D. Flanagan, MA, MHA, David P. Looney, MS,

Adam J. Sterczala, MS, William H. DuPont, MS, J. Luke Pryor, MS, Hiu-Ying Luk, MS, Jesse Maladoungdock, MS,

Danielle McDermott, MS, Jeff S. Volek, PhD, RD, Carl M. Maresh, PhD

Department of Human Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio (W.J.K, D.R.H., T.K.S., S.D.F., W.H.D., J.S.V., C.M.M.);

Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut (B.R.K., C.D.-L.,

B.A.C., D.P.L., A.J.S., J.L.P., H.-Y.L., J.M., D.M.)

Key words: resistance training, HMB, whey protein, carbohydrate, muscle damage, exercise

Objective: This study evaluated whether a combination of whey protein (WP), calcium beta-hydroxy-beta-

methylbutyrate (HMB), and carbohydrate exert additive effects on recovery from highly demanding resistance

exercise.

Methods: Thirteen resistance-trained men (age: 22.6 3.9 years; height: 175.3 12.2 cm; weight:86.2 9.8 kg) completed a double-blinded, counterbalanced, within-group study. Subjects ingested EASRecovery Protein (RP; EAS Sports Nutrition/Abbott Laboratories, Columbus, OH) or WP twice daily for

2 weeks prior to, during, and for 2 days following 3 consecutive days of intense resistance exercise. The

workout sequence included heavy resistance exercise (day 1) and metabolic resistance exercise (days 2 and 3).

The subjects performed no physical activity during day 4 (C24 hours) and day 5 (C48 hours), where recoverytesting was performed. Before, during, and following the 3 workouts, treatment outcomes were evaluated using

blood-based muscle damage markers and hormones, perceptual measures of muscle soreness, and

countermovement jump performance.

Results: Creatine kinase was lower for the RP treatment on day 2 (RP: 166.9 56.4 vs WP: 307.1 125.2 IU L1, p 0.05), day 4 (RP: 232.5 67.4 vs WP: 432.6 223.3 IU L1, p 0.05), and day 5 (RP:176.1 38.7 vs 264.5 120.9 IU L1, p 0.05). Interleukin-6 was lower for the RP treatment on day 4(RP: 1.2 0.2 vs WP: 1.6 0.6 pg ml1, p 0.05) and day 5 (RP: 1.1 0.2 vs WP: 1.6 0.4 pg ml1, p 0.05). Muscle soreness was lower for RP treatment on day 4 (RP: 2.0 0.7 vs WP: 2.8 1.1 cm, p 0.05).Vertical jump power was higher for the RP treatment on day 4 (RP: 5983.2 624 vs WP 5303.9 641.7 W, p 0.05) and day 5 (RP: 5792.5 595.4 vs WP: 5200.4 501 W, p 0.05).

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that during times of intense conditioning, the recovery benefits of WP are

enhanced with the addition of HMB and a slow-release carbohydrate. We observed reductions in markers of

muscle damage and improved athletic performance.

INTRODUCTION

In order to maximize adaptations to resistance exercise, pro-

gressive increases in training loads and frequency are typically

recommended, along with the use of periodization [1]. Rigorous

conditioning sequences may require additional nutritional

support [1,2]. Further, athletes may fail to balance training and

recovery as they strive for maximal performance [3]. When

excessive stress is placed on the bodys recovery process, which

can no longer compensate, reductions in strength, overtraining

syndrome [3], and possibly even injury (such as rhabdomyoly-

sis) may occur. Various dietary supplements have been

Address correspondence to: William J. Kraemer, PhD, FACN, Department of Human Sciences, The Ohio State University, A054 PAES Bldg, 305 West 17th Ave, Colum-

bus, OH 43210. E-mail: kraemer.44@osu.edu

Abbreviations: WP D whey protein, RP D recovery protein, HMB D beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate

1

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developed to support the recovery process by reducing muscle

damage and the loss of physical performance. Protein supple-

mentation is a prominent example: though resistance training

has been shown to increase protein synthesis [4], net protein bal-

ance may remain negative without the use of a protein supple-

ment afteracute resistance exercise [5].

Different types of protein have been studied, including pro-

teins from different sources (e.g., whey and soy based). In a

recent study, we directly compared 2 sources of protein and

demonstrated that despite isocaloric and isonitrogenous condi-

tions, lean body mass gains were greater in subjects who supple-

mented with whey [6]. The mechanism for this preferential

response to whey protein may reflect increased branched-chain

amino acid content, and leucine in particular, because these

amino acids activate key protein synthesis enzymes after physi-

cal exercise [7]. This theory was echoed in a recent review,

where it was suggested that leucine may be responsible for the

efficacy of protein supplements, as opposed to brain chain amino

acids (BCAAs) generally [8]. A possible explanation for the

superiority of leucine over other amino acids lies in its metabo-

lite, beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB), produced from

the reversible transamination of leucine to a-ketoisocaproate

(KIC) [9], followed by production of HMB in the cytosol. KIC

can also be metabolized in the mitochondria [10], yet both path-

ways lead to the production of hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme

A (HMG-CoA), a precursor for cholesterol synthesis.

The current model for HMB in recovery is that damaged

muscle cells are unable to produce enough HMG-CoA (and

therefore cholesterol) to function properly [10]. As a result,

HMB supplementation may stabilize cellular membranes,

allowing for maximal cell growth [11]. The ability of HMB to

stabilize membranes is supported by its ability to reduce circu-

lating creatine kinase (CK), an intracellular enzyme thought to

increase with cell membrane permeability as a result of skeletal

muscle damage [12]. The ability of HMB to aid the recovery

process following resistance training could thus play an impor-

tant role, because it has been suggested that CK should return

to normal in order to avoid overtraining or muscular pathology

[13]. Accordingly, with 3 weekly days of resistance training,

Nissen et al. [14] demonstrated significantly lower plasma CK

in subjects who consumed HMB compared to a control group.

These results were duplicated in more recent work, which

showed that HMB supplementation is accompanied by signifi-

cant reductions in CK with one session or 12 weeks of resis-

tance training [15,16]. Additional proposed mechanisms for

the role of HMB in strength improvement are focused on

HMBs ability to improve net protein balance by altering ana-

bolic, catabolic, and inflammatory factors [10]. Until recently,

studies in this area had predominantly utilized cell cultures or

animal models. However, Wilkinson et al. [17] confirmed ele-

vated muscle protein synthesis as well as attenuated muscle

protein breakdown with HMB and leucine supplementation in

vivo. Furthermore, it was recently demonstrated that HMB

could reduce circulating tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) and

monocyte TNF-a receptor 1 expression after intense exercise,

indicating that HMB may positively alter the immune response

to exercise [18].

In addition to whey protein (WP) and HMB, carbohydrate

supplementation also appears to have beneficial effects on recov-

ery, which may stem from actions on circulating cytokines,

including interleukin-6 (IL-6). These messenger molecules are

released from muscle and various lymphocytes and are associ-

ated with altered metabolic activity, which may in turn promote

inflammatory immune activity [19]. For example, elevations in

IL-6 are associated with glycogen depletion [20], and carbohy-

drate supplementation can attenuate this response following

long-distance running [21]. Though glycogen depletion is typi-

cally associated with endurance activities, resistance training can

also challenge glycolysis, especially when short rest intervals

are used. To that end, elevations in IL-6 have been observed

from immediately post to upwards of an hour after resistance

exercise [22], as well as up to 72 hours later [23]. Such pro-

longed increases in IL-6 would be of concern to individuals

engaging in extreme conditioning protocols, where high training

frequencies are also typically employed (56 times per week).

In such cases, resistance training with high glycolytic demands

performed at high frequencies could result in chronically ele-

vated resting IL-6 concentrations, which may have detrimental

effects on metabolism and inflammation [24]. As a result, recov-

ery from repeated resistance training workouts, especially those

that demand more glycolytic metabolism, might be aided by

supplementation with carbohydrates and especially those metab-

olized more slowly, such as isomaltulose.

Despite the profound benefits of resistance training on health

and performance, in certain circumstances, excessive demands

can be placed on the recovery process. Though WP has been

shown to be an effective supplement, resistance training proto-

cols with high volume, frequency, and glycolytic demands may

place greater stress on recovery than the traditional workouts

that have been used to study WP. Therefore, the purpose of this

study was to compare recovery from highly demanding resis-

tance exercise with WP or a supplement containing whey,

HMB, and a slow-release carbohydrate (isomaltulose).

MATERIALS ANDMETHODS

This investigation examined EAS Recovery Protein (RP;

EAS Sports Nutrition/Abbott Laboratories, Columbus, OH), a

nutritional supplement containing calcium beta-hydroxy-beta-

methylbutyrate (HMB), isomaltulose, and whey protein. A

double-blind, counterbalanced within-group design was used

to evaluate whether RP was able to offset indirect markers of

tissue disruption caused by intense resistance exercise better

than WP alone (see Fig. 1). The recovery process was assessed

using blood markers of muscle damage (CK), blood hormone

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concentrations of potential therapeutic targets, perception of

muscle soreness, and countermovement jump performance.

Subjects

Thirteen men (age: 22.6 3.9 years; height: 175.3 12.2 cm; weight: 86.2 9.8 kg) with at least one year ofresistance training experience volunteered to participate in the

study. Height was measured using a stadiometer (Seca, Ham-

burg, Germany). Weight was measured using a calibrated scale

(OHAUS Corp., Florham Park, NJ). All subjects were fully

informed of the protocol design and associated risks of this

investigation before signing an informed consent approved by

the University of Connecticut Institutional Review Board for

use of human subjects.

Procedures

Familiarization Visit

During the initial familiarization visit, subjects were famil-

iarized with the warm-up protocol used before all experimental

visits. The warm-up included 5 minutes using a cycle ergome-

ter (Precor, Woodinville, WA) at resistance level 5 with a

speed of 60 rpm. This was followed by dynamic stretches.

Subjects then performed a countermovement jump test with

3 consecutive jumps on a forceplate (Fitness Technologies,

Skye, South Australia, Australia), which were subsequently

analyzed for peak force, power, and velocity (Ballistic Mea-

surement System software, Innervations, Perth, Western Aus-

tralia). Subjects were instructed to jump as high as possible,

maintain hands on hips, and not pause between jumps.

Dietary Counseling

Before supplement loading, subjects were asked to com-

plete a trial 3-day diet record, which served as a familiariza-

tion. Food records were analyzed for protein content using

NutritionistPro software (Axxya Systems, Stafford, TX). Fol-

lowing analysis, subjects received dietary counseling to help

maintain a prescribed protein intake of 1 g of protein per kilo-

gram of body mass. Subjects were instructed to follow this pre-

scription during the subsequent 2-week supplement loading

phase. Adherence to the dietary prescription was assessed over

a 3-day period during the supplement loading phase and a 5-

day period during the acute testing phase. During the second

cycle, adherence was again confirmed during the supplement

loading phase, and subjects were asked replicate the 5-day diet

used during the first cycle. Analysis of the dietary records

Fig. 1. Study design: (A) visit sequence and (B) timeline of the acute testing protocol.

Additive Effects of HMB and Isomaltulose

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indicated reasonable adherence to the nutritional guidelines(0.8

to 1.2 g/body weight of daily protein intake, per nutritional

analysis).

Supplement Loading Phase

Subjects consumed either RP supplement (260 kcal, 20 g

protein, 1.5 g HMB, 41 g carbohydrate, 2 g fat) or whey pro-

tein (100 kcal, 20 g protein, 2.5 g carbohydrate, 1 g fat). This

isonitrogenous comparison allowed us to examine the additive

effects of HMB and carbohydrate, while using commercially

available supplements used by competitive and recreational

athletes. During the 2-week loading phase, single servings

were taken twice daily, once in the morning and once follow-

ing each workout. On days where no workouts were performed,

the supplement was taken in the evening. To ensure compli-

ance with supplement consumption guidelines, subjects were

asked to bring empty supplement packets to the lab, and after

workouts, supplement consumption was directly monitored.

During the first week, subjects performed 3 workouts separated

by at least 48 hours of rest. The first workout was a replication

of day one of the acute testing protocol that followed (Table 1).

The second and third workouts were similar to those used on

days 2 and 3, with the only difference being that they were per-

formed with one minute of rest. This was done in an attempt to

ensure familiarization with the protocol, while still allowing

for novel stimuli during the testing week (where rest was

0.5 minutes). During week 2, only 2 workouts were performed.

Again, a replication of day 1 was followed by 48 hours of rest

before day 2, where subjects were given one minute of rest

between sets.

Baseline Visit

Baseline data for muscle soreness and countermovement

jump were taken at the end of the supplement loading phase, at

least 2 days before the beginning of the acute testing protocol

and at least 48 hours following the final workout of the supple-

ment loading phase. Muscle soreness was assessed with a 5-

point Likert scale during recovery visits, which took place 24

and 48 hours after the last workout. After the previously

described warm-up, countermovement jumps were performed.

At the beginning of all testing visits, adequate hydration was

determined by urine specific gravity 1.025, as measuredwith a refractometer (Reichert, Lincolnshire, IL).

Three Day Workout Sequence

The acute testing protocol was performed on 3 consecutive

days (workouts described in Table 1). Loading was determined

based on a workout log that was filled out during the supple-

ment loading phase and each set was performed to failure. All

loads and repetition numbers recorded during cycle one were

replicated during the second cycle.

Blood Collection

Samples were obtained by venipuncture from an antecubital

vein by a trained phlebotomist in the morning between 6:00

and 10:00 AM following a minimum of a 12-hour fast immedi-

ately before the workout for the respective visit. Throughout

the study, subjects performed all visits at the same time of day.

Blood samples were also obtained immediately (IP) and

15 minutes (C15) and 60 minutes (C60) after each workoutand then 24 and 48 hours after the last workout, during recov-

ery visits. Blood was collected as serum, which was centri-

fuged at 1500 g at 4C for 15 minutes. Serum was thenaliquoted and stored at 80C.

Biochemistry

Creatine kinase was analyzed using creatine kinaseSL

assays (SEKISUI, Charlottetown, Canada) with a coefficient of

variation (CV) of 3.7%. The assay wavelength was read at

340 nm on a Biomate3 Spectrophotometer (Thermo Scientific,

Pittsburgh, PA). Cortisol and testosterone were analyzed using

enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA; CALBiotech,

Spring Valley, CA), with sensitivities of 11.1 and 0.8 nmol/L,

respectively. These assays had an intra-and interassay CVs of

below 7.2%. IL-6, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and

IGFBP3 were analyzed using a Quantikine ELISA (R&D Sys-

tems, Minneapolis, MN). The assays had sensitivities of

0.06 pg/mL, 0.026 ng/mL, and 0.05 ng/mL. Intra-assay CVs

Table 1. Three-Day Workout Sequencea

Day 1: Heavy Day 2: Metabolic Day 3: Metabolic

Exercise Sets Repetitions Rest (min) Sets Repetitions Rest (min) Sets Repetitions Rest (min)

Barbell squat 5 35 3 3 810 0.5 3 810 0.5

Bench press 5 35 3 3 810 0.5 3 810 0.5

Bent over row 3 35 3 3 810 0.5 3 810 0.5

Deadlift 3 35 3 3 810 0.5 3 810 0.5

Shoulder press 2 68 2 3 810 0.5 3 810 0.5

Lateral pulldown 2 68 2 3 810 0.5 3 810 0.5

aWorkouts were performed on consecutive days at the same time of day. Rest period represents time in minutes between each set.

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were 6.2%, 4.1%, and 4.6%, and interassay CVs were 8.3%,

5.7%, and 6.2%, respectively. All ELISAs were measured in

duplicate on a Versamax tunable microplate reader (Molecular

Devices, Sunnyvale, CA) at the appropriate wavelength for

that particular assay.

Statistical Analyses

A repeated measures analysis of variance was used for the

selected dependent variables. Linear assumptions were tested

and, if necessary, a Huynh-Feldt sphericity correction

was applied. The variable (IL-6) that failed the test for normal-

ity after correction was logarithmically transformed and tested

again. Pairwise comparisons were made with Bonferroni post

hoc tests. Statistical analyses were completed using the nQuery

Advisor software (Statistical Solutions, Saugus, MA). Statisti-

cal power for our sample size ranged from 0.76 to 0.87. Signifi-

cance was set a priori at p 0.05.

RESULTS

We observed significant differences between supplements

that were mostly confined to the recovery visits, which took

place 24 and 48 hours after the third workout of the acute test-

ing protocol. A comprehensive summary of observed circulat-

ing hormone concentrations is provided in Table 2. Circulating

CK was significantly lower with RP at rest on day 2 and during

the 24-and 48-hour recovery visits when compared to WP (p 0.05; see Fig. 2). During both recovery visits, IL-6 was also

significantly lower in the RP group (p 0.05; see Fig. 3). As

depicted in Fig. 4, countermovement jump power was signifi-

cantly greater when subjects consumed RP, with values that

did not differ from baseline (p 0.05). Moreover, despite sig-nificant increases in soreness from baseline in both groups, per-

ceived soreness was significantly lower in RP at 24 hours (p 0.05; Fig. 5).

DISCUSSION

The primary finding of this study is that when high loads

and short periods are used during high-frequency resistance

exercise, the addition of HMB and a slow-release carbohydrate

to WP is more effective than WP alone at promoting recovery.

This was evidenced not only by reductions in indirect markers

muscle damage but by reductions in muscle soreness and

improved physical performance. Though WP has previously

been shown to increase lean body mass [6], increased training

demands may require further supplement optimization. Sub-

jects in the aforementioned study generally trained for 3 non-

consecutive days per week, whereas subjects in the present

study exercised on 3 consecutive days, with shorter rest peri-

ods. The relative advantage of WP is likely due to its higher

leucine content, but when greater demands are placed on the

bodys recovery processes, the addition of a leucine derivative

(HMB) to WP may improve the efficacy of the supplement.

HMB has also been shown effective in reducing markers of

muscle damage following one session [16], 3 weeks [14], and

4 weeks [15] of resistance training performed 3 days per week.

However, in these studies a significant difference in CK activ-

ity was not seen until the third or fourth week. In the present

Table 2. Hormonal Response Dataa

Testosterone (nmolL1) IGF-1 (ngml1) IGFBP3 (ngml1) Cortisol (nmolL1)

Day Time WP RP WP RP WP RP WP RP

1 Pre 20.1 6.8 20.9 4.9 172.0 40.3 178.1 37.0 2338.0 557.0 2396.0 479.0 447.0 106.0 475.0 114.0IP 22.5 8.9 23.5 8.6 187.6 30.6 192.3 31.0 2688.0 593.0 2812.0 637.0 584.0 241.0 582.0 206.015 21.7 8.1 22.3 6.8 170.6 34.0 173.4 35.9 2357.0 549.0 2368.0 595.0 558.0 213.0 554.0 224.060 19.9 8.2 20.4 5.8 b b b b 497.0 186.0 391.0 154.0

2 Pre 20.4 5.8 20.8 4.7 176.7 40.4 180.1 39.0 2435.0 479.0 2317.0 537.0 609.0 181.0* 636.0 222.0*IP 24.9 9.8 24.9 8.5 192.7 43.8 199.6 37.7 2978.0 692.0 2901.0 631.0 858.0 360.0* 871.0 288.0*y15 24.1 8.8 24.9 8.3 172.4 39.3 175.6 35.2 2302.0 642.0 2302.0 542.0 1157.0 346.0*y 1103.0 267.0*y60 19.2 6.7 18.0 5.3 b b b b 920.0 374.0*y 915.0 311.0*

3 Pre 19.6 5.1 20.5 4.3 181.0 39.5 175.2 36.2 2260.0 459.0 2245.0 530.0 698.0 282.0* 633.0 196.0*IP 25.6 9.7 25.8 7.8 195.2 40.0 200.2 34.8 2724.0 662.0 2789.0 691.0 886.0 295.0* 853.0 299.0*y15 24.2 8.5 24.9 6.4 168.3 36.5 176.5 33.4 2269.0 542.0 2248.0 586.0 991.0 373.0*y 1001.0 352.0*y60 19.4 6.1 19.6 6.0 b b b b 661.0 270.0 621.0 218.0*

4 C24 20.4 6.3 21.5 6.0 179.0 47.8 177.2 31.5 2280.0 476.0 2300.0 542.0 654.0 144.0* 609.0 174.0*5 C48 21.7 4.8 20.7 5.8 172.7 34.9 168.3 37.9 2221.0 454.0 2341.0 578.0 529.0 154.0 538.0 115.0IGF-1 D insulin-like growth factor-1, WP D whey protein, RP D recovery protein.aCirculating hormone concentrations measured in the blood at time points surrounding the workout sequence. Data are presented as mean SD.bSamples were not measured at these time points.

*Significantly (p 0.05) different from corresponding day 1 pre.ySignificantly (p 0.05) different from preworkout value from corresponding visit.

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study, significant differences were seen after 3 days of resis-

tance training. The study by Nissen et al. [14] compared HMB

to a control supplement with no protein, whereas this study

compared the addition of HMB to aWP supplement. This com-

parison highlights the additive effects of HMB and WP under

conditions of heightened training demands and provides further

support for the theory that the treatment effects of HMB and

WP are driven by leucine content.

Although this study provided further support for the role of

HMB in cell membrane stability, no between-group differences

were observed in terms of the other blood hormones. Thus, this

study does not provide indirect evidence for a role of IGF-1 in

enhanced protein synthesis or for reduced glucocorticoid activity

and protein degradation, which have been inconsistently shown

in past work [10,16] (Table 2). Prior evidence for a role of HMB

in these mechanisms has been observed in cell culture or animal

models. Because increases in circulating HMB after ingestion are

likely smaller than those observed when used in vitro, the supple-

mentmay have failed to adequately stimulate IGF-1 andmamma-

lian target of rapamycin (mTOR) activity or suppress cortisol

activity. Alternatively, such responses may occur inmuscle tissue

but without detectable effects on circulating hormone concentra-

tions. Nevertheless, it is important to note that long-term

improvements in muscle mass and strength have been shown in

Fig. 2. Effect of EAS recovery protein vs whey protein on blood serum creatine kinase concentrations during a 3-day workout sequence. #Significant

(p 0.05) difference between treatments at corresponding time point.

Fig. 3. Effect of EAS recovery protein vs whey protein on blood serum interleukin-6 concentrations during a 3-day workout sequence. #Significant

(p 0.05) difference between treatments at corresponding time point. *Significant (p 0.05) difference from corresponding pre-exercise value.

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elderly women [25] and untrained men [26] with HMB supple-

mentation. This suggests that if the growth factor response is not

the primary biological mechanism of action, improvements in

cell membrane integrity transfer to measurable differences in

long-term strength and muscle mass, in addition to acute

improvements in muscle damage, performance, and important

perceptual factors, as observed in this and past work [16].

Although WP and RP did not differ with respect to circulating

hormone concentrations, WP alone may be suboptimal in support-

ing recovery when resistance training is highly glycolytic. IL-6 is

often elevated during times of glycogen depletion [20,21], and car-

bohydrate supplementation has been demonstrated to attenuate this

response [21]. Although cytokine responses have been studied to a

greater extent in endurance activities, elevations in IL-6 have also

been observed following resistance training [22,23]. Interestingly,

the IL-6 concentrations measured in these studies were much

greater than those observed in the present study (7.72 and 4.5 pg/

ml, respectively, vs 2.2 pg/ml). These differences may reflect the

greater volume [22] or untrained subjects used by others [23]. Irre-

spective of the lower IL-6 concentrations observed in this study,

the addition of a slow-release carbohydrate to WP was effective at

attenuating the IL-6 response. This suggests that the addition of iso-

maltulose toWPmay be beneficial during times of increased train-

ing volume, as well as in previously untrained subjects.

Fig. 4. Effect of EAS recovery protein vs whey protein on countermovement vertical jump performance during a 3-day workout sequence. #Signifi-

cant (p 0.05) difference between treatments at corresponding time point.

Fig. 5. Effect of EAS recovery protein vs whey protein perceived muscle soreness during a 3-day workout sequence. #Significant (p 0.05) differencebetween treatments at corresponding time point. *Significantly (p 0.05) different from baseline value for corresponding treatment. ySignificantly(p 0.05) different from 24-hour value for corresponding treatment.

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CONCLUSION

When resistance training combines high training frequen-

cies with high loads and short rest periods, a greater demand is

placed on the bodys recovery processes, which increases the

need for supplementation. Although WP alone has been shown

to be an effective supplement, the addition of HMB and a

slow-release carbohydrate further mediates the recovery pro-

cess, as evidenced by reduced muscle damage, lower perceived

soreness, and improved athletic performance.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors wish to thank a dedicated group of subjects and

research team members who made this study possible.

FUNDING

This study was funded in part by a grant from EAS Sports

Nutrition, Abbott Laboratories, Columbus, OH.

AUTHOR NOTE

Current affiliations are as follows: Brian R. Kupchak - U.S.

Naval Research Laboratory, Bethesda, MD; Courtenay Dunn-

Lewis, -Merrimack College, North Andover, MA; Brett A.

Comstock - University of South Dakota, Vermilion SD; Adam

J. Sterczala - University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS; Hiu-Ying

Luk- University of North Texas, Denton, TX.

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Received April 9, 2014; accepted June 20, 2014.

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