Open AccessEffect of exercise therapy combined with branched-chain amino acid supplementation on muscle strengthening in persons with osteoarthritis
Author(s) -
Takashi Ikeda,
Tetsuya Jinno,
Tadashi Masuda,
Junya Aizawa,
Kazunari Ninomiya,
Kôji Suzuki,
Kazuhiko Hirakawa
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
hong kong physiotherapy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.343
H-Index - 15
eISSN - 1876-441X
pISSN - 1013-7025
DOI - 10.1142/s1013702518500038
Subject(s) - medicine , osteoarthritis , physical therapy , anabolism , muscle strength , alternative medicine , pathology
Background: Improving lower limb muscle strength is important in preventing progression of osteoarthritis (OA) and its symptoms. Exercise with branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) supplementation has been reported to affect protein anabolism in young and elderly persons. However, few studies provided daily BCAAs for patients with OA. Objective: This study examined the effects of combined BCAAs and exercise therapy on physical function improvement in women with hip OA scheduled for total hip arthroplasty. Methods: The subjects were 43 women with OA (age: 64.2[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]9.4). The participants were randomly divided into two groups: BCAA ([Formula: see text]) and control ([Formula: see text]). The combined therapy was carried out for one month. Exercise intervention involved hip abductor muscle exercise in both groups. For the nutritional intervention, 6[Formula: see text]g of BCAAs or 1.2[Formula: see text]g of starch were consumed within 10[Formula: see text]min before starting the exercise. Results: There was a marginally significant difference in the main effect between the groups in 10-m timed gait time. The improvement rate in hip abductor muscle strength of the contralateral side was significantly greater in the BCAA group. Conclusion: By combining BCAA intake and exercise therapy, a significant improvement in hip abductor muscle strength of the contralateral side was achieved in women with OA.