The effect of acute glutamine supplementation before an exhaustive activity on blood lactate level and pain index in young athletes

The protective role of glutamine against protein breakdown and also its potential effect on rehabilitation after exhaustive activities is not well understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of acute glutamine supplementation before an exhaustive activity on blood lactate levels and pain index in young athletes.

In this quasi-experimental double-blind study, 16 male athletes (age: 21.87±1.77 years, weight: 72.65±6.02 kg, body mass index: 23±1.75 kg/m2) were randomly divided into two groups including glutamine (n= 8) and placebo (n= 8) groups. The experimental group consumed 0.6 g of glutamine supplement per kg in body weight with 500 ml of water half an hour before activity. Moreover, the placebo group used 2% dextrin solution without glutamine. Lactate level was measured using a lactometer and pain index was evaluated with the numerical pain raiting scale (NPRS) questionnaire before, immediately, 30 minutes and 60 minutes after an exhaustive protocol. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance and Beferroni post hoc test was applied at the significance level of p<0.05.

Blood lactate level and pain index significantly increased after exhaustive activity in both groups (p<0.05). However, blood lactate levels and pain index were significantly lower 30 minutes after activity as compare of the initial phase after exercise in both groups (p<0.05). The decreasing process of lactate level and pain index continued up to 60 minutes after the end of activity, but this decrease was greater in the glutamine supplement than in the placebo group (p<0.05). There was also a significant difference between blood lactate levels (30 and 60 minutes) and pain index (immediately, 30 and 60 minutes) after the exhaustive activity (p<0.05).

It is recommended that athletes can use glutamine supplementation to reduce blood lactate levels and pain index before their performing exhaustive activities.