Discrepancies in publications related to HMB-FA and ATP supplementation

Abstract

This letter addresses a number of discrepancies found in several publications related HMB-FA and ATP supplementation.

The Effect of a 12-Week Beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) Supplementation on Highly-Trained Combat Sports Athletes: A Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Study

“…In addition, over the 12-week resistance-training when HMB free acid was supplemented, there was an increase of lean body mass (+11.0% HMB vs. +3.1% PLA ), quadriceps depth (+14.3% HMB vs. +4.8% PLA ), total strength (+18.1% HMB vs. +5.9% PLA ), Wingate peak power (+18.1% HMB vs. +11.8% PLA ) and vertical jump power (+19.0% HMB vs. +12.1% PLA ), as well as a decrease in FM (−30.2% HMB vs. −9.7% PLA ) [ 38 ]. However, it may be worth mentioning the controversy surrounding this manuscript (protocols, control groups and extraordinary level of homogeneity) [ 63 ].…”

β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate free acid supplementation may improve recovery and muscle adaptations after resistance training: a systematic review

“…Collectively, these 2 studies suggest that, in conjunction with a resistance training program, supplementation with HMB-FA (3 g • d −1 ) results in increases in lean body mass, muscle hypertrophy, strength, and power in resistancetrained men. However, although speculative, it is noteworthy to acknowledge that the sizeable increases in lean body mass have raised skepticism and debate [24][25][26]. The reported increases in lean body mass associated with HMB-FA supplementation (7.4 ± 4.2 kg [23] and 8.5 ± 0.8 kg [17], respectively) is rather extreme, especially among trained participants who would have had less propensity to gain lean body mass.…”

“…More studies are needed to determine the overall efficacy of HMB-FA supplementation as an ergogenic aid. Given the controversy surrounding the studies investigating the effect of HMB-FA supplementation on resistance training-induced muscular adaptation [24][25][26], future research is needed to evaluate the effects of HMB-FA on resistance training outcomes. Similarly, more research is warranted to verify the effects of HMB-FA on markers of aerobic fitness including investigations into the potential mechanisms by which these improvements may manifest.…”

Response to discrepancies in publications related to HMB-FA and ATP supplementation

“…Recently, Gentles and Phillips [ 1 ] wrote a communication requesting further explanations regarding our recent publications on ATP [ 2 ], HMB-FA [ 3 ] and co-ingestion of ATP and HMB-FA [ 4 ] on training adaptations, resulting from the same study with the clinical trial identifier: NCT01508338. We acknowledge that the authors have invested a great deal of time following our work on multiple platforms, and our reexamination only serves to further our understanding of the significance of these studies.…”

“…We acknowledge that the authors have invested a great deal of time following our work on multiple platforms, and our reexamination only serves to further our understanding of the significance of these studies. In their effort to better understand our research, Gentles and Phillips [ 1 ] have submitted questions pertaining to the homogeneity of subjects’ characteristics between the three different published papers, and why there appears to be differences in the number of subjects in placebo groups across studies [ 2 – 4 ]. Our response addresses each of these issues and demonstrates that there are no discrepancies between papers but rather a misunderstanding of the papers previously published.…”