The effect of HMB-FA supplementation on hormonal balance during a two-match soccer microcycle

Intensive training such as soccer activities cause significant changes in hormone circulation and also induce microscopic muscle damages and acute inflammatory reactions that can influence the performance of athletes in 24 to 72 hours after soccer and prolong the recovery time. Nutritional strategies are among the popular and accessible methods to facilitate the recovery of function and physiological disorders after certain sports as well as soccer. Therefore, the present study was a two-way clinical trial that investigated the effect of beta hydroxy beta methyl butyrate supplement in the form of free acid (HMB-FA) on the levels of hormonal markers during the recovery period during a weekly soccer cycle.

This research was semi-experimental, with a pre-test-post-test and double-blind design. Twenty-four male soccer players (mean age 23 ± 3 years, mass index of 22.8 ± 2, mean height 172.6 ± 5.5 cm and average weight 74.3 ± 5.4 kg) were voluntarily selected as the statistical sample of this study and were divided into two groups of 12 people. In this study, subjects participated in a weekly soccer microcycle with two matches. Subjects in the supplement-training group consumed three grams of HMB-FA daily during a weekly soccer cycle. Blood samples were taken in seven stages (before supplementation, before the first match, immediately after the first match, 24 hours after the first match, before the second match, immediately after the second match, 24 hours after the second match). Plasma concentrations of cortisol and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) were measured by ELISA method. Data analysis was performed using Friedman, Wilcoxon, Kruskal-Wallis and U Mann-Whitney tests with a significance level of P≥ 0.05.  

The results showed that after intaking HMB-FA supplement, there was a significant decrease in plasma cortisol levels (before the first match, after the first match and 24 hours after the second match) (for all, P < 0.05) and there was also a significant increase for IGF-1 (before the first match, after the first match and immediately after the second match) (for all,P < 0.05).

HMB-FA supplementation has increased the levels of IGF-1 hormone and decreased cortisol, which indicates an increase in anabolic state and a decrease in catabolic state in the body, which is used for muscle reconstruction and recovery from injuries caused by exercise and racing is essential during a race microcycle. In addition, taking HMB supplements may have other effects, including reducing neuromuscular fatigue, reducing the inflammatory response, and rapid skeletal muscle regeneration, which requires further study.