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Effect of Aspartate Supplementation on Athletic Performance and Testosterone Levels in Young Men
Author(s) -
LaMacchia Zach,
Williams Brian,
Horvath Peter J
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.30.1_supplement.898.12
Subject(s) - testosterone (patch) , bench press , placebo , medicine , endocrinology , squat , athletes , zoology , physical therapy , biology , resistance training , alternative medicine , pathology
D‐aspartic acid has been suggested to enhance athletic performance by regulating the hypothalamus‐pituitary‐gonadal axis by increasing plasma testosterone. Aspartate supplementation may be useful to increase testosterone for individuals with low plasma testosterone due to aging and other conditions. PURPOSE To determine the effect of D‐aspartic acid supplementation on athletic performance and testosterone production in young male athletes. METHODS After screening for ACSM low risk, 15 healthy male athletes (average age = 22y, body weight = 79.1 kg and body fat = 9.2%) were randomized to two groups for supplementation using a double blinded parallel arm experimental design. They ingested either 3 grams of d‐aspartic acid (Aspartate, n=9) or a Placebo (n=6) for 14 days supplied in capsule form. Subjects recorded and replicated previous 3 day diets prior to testing. Physical assessments were performed prior to and after supplementation included a peak VO 2 test by cycle ergometer, 1 maximal repetition bench press and 1 maximal repetition squat (average values ±SD before supplementation were 41.7 ±6.4 ml/kg/min, 117.9 ±11.1 kg and 151.7 ±19.0 kg, respectively). RESULTS The Aspartate group had a positive trend in performance during the 1 maximal repetition bench press by 3.5 ±6.8kg (average ±SEM, p=0.06) and a significant increase in the 1 maximal repetition squat by 8.5 ±10.5kg (average ±SEM, p=0.013). No change in performance measures were observed in the Placebo group. There was no change in testosterone levels in the control group: Pre‐731.2± 70.4 ng/dL, Post‐733.7± 77.8ng/dL (average±SEM) or in the experimental group: Pre‐720.56±79.9ng/dL, Post‐719.8±72.8ng/dL (average±SEM). Body composition did not change for either group. CONCLUSION D‐aspartic acid supplementation may lead to improved acute skeletal muscle synthesis improving upper and lower body muscle performance. D‐Aspartic Acid supplementation does not have a significant effect on testosterone levels and the time point observed.