Abstract
The use of HMB-FA supplement to reduce the process of proteolysis and increase muscle mass is extremely common among athletes. Therefore, in this study, response of muscle damage indices to short-term supplementation of HMB-FA in professional soccer players was investigated. A total of 24 professional soccer players were divided into two groups: supplement-sport (n=12) and placebo-sport (n=12). Both groups performed the simulated soccer protocol after receiving 3 d/g of HMB-FA supplement or placebo. Blood samples were taken to measure serum creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels before the supplementation and immediately after the protocol. Data were analyzed using the covariance test at the level of (P <0.05). Intergroup comparison of data indicated that creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels decreased significantly in the supplement group than in the placebo group (P<0.05). Examination of intra-group changes of the CK index showed a significant difference between the mean before and after in both groups (P<0.05); however, in the LDH index there was only a significant difference between the mean before and after in placebo-exercise (P <0.05). The results of this study showed that acute use of HMB-FA supplementation reduces CK and LDH as indices of muscle injury in professional soccer players.