2020 Volume 22 Issue 1 Pages 22-34
Objective: A 52-week, open-label, randomized, controlled, cross-over with a wash-out period of 20 weeks, preliminary trial was performed to examine the effects of beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) supplementation with resistance training on skeletal muscle mass and muscular strength in postmenopausal women.
Methods: Fifty-seven postmenopausal women (mean age 60.2 ± 6.0 years) were randomly allocated to an immediate intervention group (IIG: n = 29) or delayed intervention group (DIG: n = 28). The IIG participated in our 12-week resistance training program along with HMB supplementation. No intervention was administered to the DIG during the initial 12-week period, and both groups were crossed over for the latter 12-week period. There was a 20-week wash-out between both periods. Effects of the intervention on primary (appendicular skeletal muscle mass: ASM) and secondary (maximum muscular strength: MMS) outcomes were examined for both baseline and post-intervention (12-week) periods.
Results: Compared with control condition, intervention condition showed no significant improvement in ASM (intervention condition +0.2 ± 0.8 kg, control condition +0.3 ± 0.8 kg, P = 0.88), but showed significant improvement in MMS (chest press: intervention condition +2.5 ± 4.5 kg, control condition 0.0 ± 5.0 kg, P < 0.001, leg curl: intervention condition +2.5 ± 5.0 kg, control condition 0.0 ± 5.0 kg, P = 0.001, and leg extension: intervention condition +12.5 ± 7.5 kg, control condition +5.0 ± 12.5 kg, P = 0.001, respectively).
Conclusion: These results suggest that HMB in combination with 12 weeks of resistance training for postmenopausal women caused greater improvement of muscle strength.
