A new study has found supplementing with Alpha Lipoic Acid aids in maintaining muscle strength after hard training.
17 participants who were familiar with strength training were recruited for this placebo controlled, double blinded crossover study. The protocol for this study required a hard set of strength training exercise followed by the supplementation of 150 mg of Alpha Lipoic Acid. After a rest period of 72 hours (the test group took 150 mg of Alpha Lipoic Acid during this rest period) participants than followed a 6 day training protocol supplementing with 150 mg of Alpha Lipoic Acid in the morning and 150 mg of Alpha Lipoic Acid at night.
The athletes were required to perform a onetime maximum weight repetition with a back squat exercise after the initial hard training set to access whether the participants lost power after the initial hard set. During the 6 day training portion of the study the one time squat was performed 30 minutes after completing the training protocol on 6th day. A 4 week washout period was built into the study prior to a switch in the placebo group and the supplement group.
More of the group supplementing with Alpha Lipoic Acid either maintained or increased the maximum amount of weight they were able to lift in a single back squat compared with the placebo group. These effects were not seen on the day one protocol.
Alpha Lipoic Acid has been studied in relation to many chronic disease conditions like diabetes. Alpha Lipoic Acid has also been used as a sport nutrient for many years but there was little evidence linking Alpha Lipoic Acid to increase performance.
Further studies are warranted.
Alpha Lipoic Acid is a metabolic antioxidant and is useful in combating free radicals and reducing oxidative stress. It is useful because it can work both inside the cell and at the membrane level making it an especially valuable antioxidant. It is also able to recycle other antioxidants to provide a synergistic benefit. Additionally Alpha Lipoic Acid aids in the metabolism of glucose which is helpful in providing more energy.
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