| Summary: | Clinical evidence supports the use for exogenous glutamine in the maintenance of muscle
mass and immune system function in critically ill patients. Relatively little research has
examined the benefits of glutamine for athletes engaged in heavy exercise
training, despite a possible link between overtraining and glutamine. PURPOSE: To
examine the influence of Glutamine on time to exhaustion and power after a
prolonged bout of exercise. METHODS: Twelve men (Age: 19 to 30y) involved in cycle
training were asked to participate in the study. All participants performed a
Symptom-Limited Graded Exercise Test (SL-GXT) using the Astrand Cycle protocol. On
a subsequent visit participants performed two Wingate tests on a cycle ergometer to
assess Peak Power, Mean Power, and Fatigue Index. The tests were separated by an
exhaustive bout of exercise at 70% of VO2R. Twenty-four hours later another Wingate
test was performed. Immediately after performing the last Wingate test, subjects were
randomized to: 1. Glutamine plus carbohydrate drink (0.3 grams/kg of body weight/ for 6
days) or 2) Placebo (Carbohydrate drink). After 6 days the Wingate and exhaustive bout
of exercise were repeated in each individual. RESULTS: There were no group
differences in VO2peak (Glu: 44.53+8.75; Pla: 43.83+5.26 ml/kg/min), PP (Glu:
717.71+118.90; Pla: 593.66+117.08), TR (Glu: 38.50+2.26; Pla: 35.50+5.65) and time to
exhaustion (Glu: 46.33+10.80; Pla: 41.90+3.82 ml/kg/min) before supplementation. Both
groups showed a significant drop in PP (-27%, p=0.001), and TR (-22%, p=0.001) after
the exhaustive exercise bout. Incomplete recovery was noted at 24h PP (-17%, p=0.03 vs.
baseline), and TR (-13%, p=0.09 vs baseline). Following supplementation TE improved
by 3.16+0.75min in the Glu group compared to no change in the Pla (p=0.001). Lastly,
the Glu group had similar PP prior to each exhaustive bout of exercise, the PP in the Pla
group was still significantly lower after 6 days. CONCLUSION: Participants in the Glu
group increased time to exhaustion following 6 days of supplementation, and appeared to
recover from exhaustive exercise earlier than the Pla group.
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