β-Hydroxy β-Methylbutyrate (HMB) Supplementation Effects on Body Mass and Performance in Elite Male Rugby Union Players

Abstract

McIntosh, ND, Love, TD, Haszard, J, Osborne, H, and Black, KE. β-hydroxy β-methylbutyrate (HMB) supplementation effects on body mass and performance in elite male rugby union players. J Strength Cond Res 32(1): 19-26, 2018-Preseason is characterized by high training volumes with short recovery periods β-hydroxy β-methylbutyrate (HMB) has been postulated to assist with recovery. β-hydroxy β-methylbutyrate has been shown to improve strength and body composition among untrained groups; the benefits of HMB among trained populations are unclear because of the methodologies employed. This randomized control trail determined the effects of 11 weeks HMB supplementation on body mass and performance measures in 27 elite rugby players. β-hydroxy β-methylbutyrate group (n = 13), mean ± SD age 20.3 ± 1.2 years, body mass 99.6 ± 9.1 kg; placebo group (n = 14), age 21.9 ± 2.8 years body mass 99.4 ± 13.9 kg for placebo. During the supplementation period, body mass increased with HMB 0.57 ± 2.60 kg but decreased with placebo 1.39 ± 2.02 kg (p = 0.029). There were no significant differences in any of the 4 strength variables (p > 0.05). However, on the yo-yo intermittent recovery test (YoYo IR-1), the placebo group improved 4.0 ± 2.8 levels but HMB decreased 2.0 ± 3.0 levels (p = 0.003). The results of this study suggest that HMB could be beneficial for gaining or maintaining body mass during periods of increased training load. However, it appears that HMB may be detrimental to intermittent running ability in this group although further research is required before firm conclusions can be made. Only 6 participants on HMB managed to complete both YoYo IR-1 tests because of injury, a larger sample size is required to fully investigate this potentially negative effect. Further, the mechanisms behind this decrement in performance cannot be fully explained and requires further biochemical and psychological investigation.

Does HMB Enhance Body Composition in Athletes? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

“…A total of 208 subjects were included in the statistical analysis of HMB and BM from 7 different studies (8,9,17,19,25,35,44). A total of 161 subjects were included in the statistical analysis of HMB on FFM from 5 studies (8,17,25,35,44).…”

“…A total of 161 subjects were included in the statistical analysis of HMB on FFM from 5 studies (8,17,25,35,44). A total of 128 subjects were included in the statistical analysis on FM from 5 studies (9,17,19,25,44). Subjects competed in various sports including indoor volleyball (25), American football (17), mixed martial arts (8), rowing (8,35), water polo (35), rugby union (19), canoe (9), and basketball (44).…”

“…A total of 128 subjects were included in the statistical analysis on FM from 5 studies (9,17,19,25,44). Subjects competed in various sports including indoor volleyball (25), American football (17), mixed martial arts (8), rowing (8,35), water polo (35), rugby union (19), canoe (9), and basketball (44). Only the study by Slater et al (35) fits the criteria for resistance-trained individuals.…”

“…Consistent with previous research on athletes, the analysis also demonstrated supplementation with HMB had no effect on BM (20.02 6 0.04; p 5 0.70) and a small, nonsignificant effect on FM (ES 5 20.33 6 0.23; p 5 0.22). The variability in outcome reporting led to different data being included in each analysis, with reporting differences for BM (8,9,17,19,25,35,44), FFM (8,17,25,35,44) and FM (9,17,19,25,44).…”

“…Research has demonstrated HMB increases muscle protein synthesis (;70%) (40,41), decreases muscle protein breakdown (;57%) (40,41), and improves muscle membrane stability (;25%) (4). However, results from human trials supplemented with HMB are equivocal, with some studies suggesting a benefit (8,9,13,16,18,19,25), while others showing none (12,17,24,27,28,31,35). Owing to the variability in the results of HMB studies, this meta-analysis sought to clarify the effects of HMB on body composition in athletes, a population that would seemingly benefit from the supplement given their rigorous training practices.…”