dietary supplements and ergogenic aids Flashcards
6 common ergogonic aids
creatine monohydrate, supplemental protein, branch chain amino acids, glutamine, nitric oxide, HMB
naturally occurring compound found in muscle that provides the high-energy phosphate group for energy production during intense, short-duration exercise
creatine
creatine is found in
dietary sources: fish, poultry, red meat
creatine monohydrate
most widely-used supplement form
creatine monohydrate recommended cycle
on and off for periods of several weeks to maximize effectiveness
creatine loading
20-30g/day over 3-5 days can increase muscle content by 10-30%
afterward 2-5g/day can maintain increased stores
those who cannot tolerate creatine loading can
take 3-5g/day for a longer period for similar results
proposed mechanisms of how creatine enhances performance
- increased intramuscular creatine and phosphocreatine content
- greater resynthesis of phosphocreatine
- increased metabolic efficiency
- enhanced adaptations with training
creatine has no clinically proven side effects, but anecdotal reports include
abdominal and/or muscle cramping
diarrhea
muscle stiffness
strains
potential performance benefits from creatine
- anaerobic power sports such as football, sprinting, Olympic weightlifting
- improved strength (up to 20-25%), lean mass gains, and work capacity
- improved quality of training and recovery
- endurance exercise does not seem to experience benefits from supplement
supplemental protein up to ____ of body weight can be beneficial to bodybuilders and those who regularly engage in high-volume, high-intensity weightlifting
2.0 g/kg
protein timing is key
intake post exercise (25-40g) or before bed reduces the propensity for catabolic activity by providing a supply of free amino acids
___ food sources are just as effective as most supplements, but supplements are
quality whole food, convenient/practical
whey
optimal post-exercise protein due to rapid digestion and bioavailability and also contains powerful antioxidants such as glutathione
casein
optimal before bed due to its slower digestion rate, and is rich in glutamine which aids in reducing catabolic activity
branched chain amino acids
valine, leucine, isoleucine
BCAA accounts for about ___% of protein in muscle
33
BCAAs have ____ and ____ effects and are easily digestible
anabolic, anti-catabolic
BCAA: ____ have the most profound effects
leucine
BCAAs serve as precursors to ____ and _____ including glutamine and alanine
muscle-building
immunity-boosting
BCAAs are found in large quantities of food such as
chicken, beef, fish
a ____ serving of chicken breast meets daily need of BCAA
6oz
BCAAs will not usually increase performance if
protein intake is adequate among bodybuilders and heavy weightlifters
BCAAs may be useful for
endurance runners to help minimize catabolism caused by high-volume training
glutamine may help limit
catabolism and drops in immune function among those who engage in high-volume endurance training
glutamine may aid in
glucose creation in the liver as glycogen stores and blood sugar levels are depleted
glutamine may increase
post-exercise glycogen stores and recovery
glutamine appears useful for excessive stress states such as ____ or ____, but may not provide much benefit among
burn victims, immunocompromised patients, healthy weightlifters who consume adequate protein
glutamine benefits may be increased among all groups when
combined with whey and/or creatine for synergistic effects
L-arginine is purported to provide many performance benefits including
improved blood, oxygen and nutrient delivery, increases in growth hormone activity
normal function of L-arginine
- aiding protein synthesis and regulating growth hormone levels
- increase oxygen delivery to the heart
-serves as a precursor to nitric oxide (vasodilator)
research has not shown increased GH activity associated with
supplemental L-arginine
rich sources of L-arginine
walnuts, peanuts, watermelon, chocolate and meats
L-arginine is useful for those with
coronary artery disease as it improves blood flow to the heart
___g/day of L-arginine has been shown to improve exercise tolerance
6
many exercise enthusiasts still enjoy the acute pump caused by
increased blood flow to working muscles
beta-hydroxy beta-methylbutyrate (HMB)
metabolite of leucine which serves anti-catabolic functions
HMB recommended supplemental dosage
3g/day
research has failed to conclusively show HMB useful for healthy adults, but some data suggests it could be useful for
previously-sedentary older adults starting an exercise program
known adverse effects of HMB supplementation
none
androgenic-anabolic steroids
synthetically produced variants of male testosterone
androgenic-anabolic steroids increase
strength, lean mass, work capacity, and recovery from very strenuous work
androgenic-anabolic steroids may provide various
notable performance-enhancing benefits, but a number of risks exist with use and abuse
risks associated with AAS abuse:
mind
aggression, mood swings, anxiety, dizziness, drowsiness, psychotic depression, suicidal thoughts