The Effects of Eight Weeks of Glutamine Supplementation Combined with Resistance Training on Some Immunological and Functional Factors in Strength Athletes

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of a period of resistance training and glutamine supplementation on some immunological and functional factors in bodybuilders. For this purpose, 30 healthy male athletes with at least 2 years of bodybuilding record were selected and randomly divided into glutamine-resistance training group (GR, n=10), resistance training group (R, n=10) and control group (C, n=10) by double blind method. Blood samples (after 10 hours of fasting) were collected before and after 8 weeks and strength, agility, speed and power factors were measured. Data were analyzed using dependent sample t test and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results indicated that in the GR group, neutrophils (NE), lymphocyte (LY), monocyte (MO), upper and lower limb strength and weight significantly increased after 8 weeks and in the R group, a significant difference was observed in the upper and lower limb strength and weight between pretest and posttest (P<0.05). A significant difference was observed in immunological factors of NE and LY between GR groups and other groups, also in upper and lower limb strength between GRand C groups and between R and C groups (P<0.05). It can be concluded that although glutamine supplementation can have no more functional benefits for strength athletes, particularly bodybuilders, it can be used to reinforce some immune system components.