Effects of L-glutamine intake on muscle fatigue and neutrophil functions during a judo training camp

Abstract

    We assessed the effects of L-glutamine intake on muscle tissues and neutrophil functions of judoists after intensive training. Thirty-five male judoists of university student were divided into two groups; glutamine group (18 subjects) and placebo group (17 subjects). During the 7-day intensive judo training camp, a total of 6g of L-glutamine or placebo per day was given to each subject. Myogenic enzymes, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production capability and phagocyte activity (PA) of neutrophils were measured before and after the 2-hour intensive judo practice on the day before and after the training camp. As a result, at pre-practice, levels of all myogenic enzymes tended to be increased from pre-camp to post-camp in the control group （p<0.05 for CK; p<0.01 for AST, ALT and LDH）, whereas such trend was not seen in the glutamine group. Further, the changing rate (before and after the practice) of ROS and PA tended to be lower in the glutamine group than in the control group after the training camp (p<0.05 for PA; p=0.10 for ROS), however there were no significant differences in those between two groups before the training camp (p=0.25 for PA; p=0.28 for ROS). In conclusion, intake of glutamine during an intensive judo training camp had a protective effect against damaged muscle functions and immune functions.