Research article

Effects of arachidonic acid supplementation on training adaptations in resistance-trained males

Michael D Roberts^1* , Mike Iosia^2* , Chad M Kerksick^1* , Lem W Taylor^4* , Bill Campbell^5* , Colin D Wilborn^6* , Travis Harvey^7* , Matthew Cooke^3* , Chris Rasmussen^3* , Mike Greenwood^3* , Ronald Wilson^3* , Jean Jitomir^3* , Darryn Willoughby^3* and Richard B Kreider^3*

¹  Department of Health and Exercise Science, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, USA

²  Department of Health, Exercise Science and Secondary Education, Lee University, Cleveland, TN, USA

³  Department of Health, Human Performance & Recreation, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA

⁴  Department of Health, Leisure, and Exercise Science, University of West Florida, Pensacola, FL, USA

⁵  School of Physical Education and Exercise Science, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA

⁶  Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Belton, TX, USA

⁷  Department of Physical Education, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY, USA

author email corresponding author email* Contributed equally

Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition 2007, 4:21doi:10.1186/1550-2783-4-21

Published:	28 November 2007

Abstract

Background

To determine the impact of AA supplementation during resistance training on body composition, training adaptations, and markers of muscle hypertrophy in resistance-trained males.

Methods

In a randomized and double blind manner, 31 resistance-trained male subjects (22.1 ± 5.0 years, 180 ± 0.1 cm, 86.1 ± 13.0 kg, 18.1 ± 6.4% body fat) ingested either a placebo (PLA: 1 g·day^-1 corn oil, n = 16) or AA (AA: 1 g·day^-1 AA, n = 15) while participating in a standardized 4 day·week^-1 resistance training regimen. Fasting blood samples, body composition, bench press one-repetition maximum (1RM), leg press 1RM and Wingate anaerobic capacity sprint tests were completed after 0, 25, and 50 days of supplementation. Percutaneous muscle biopsies were taken from the vastus lateralis on days 0 and 50.

Results

Wingate relative peak power was significantly greater after 50 days of supplementation while the inflammatory cytokine IL-6 was significantly lower after 25 days of supplementation in the AA group. PGE₂ levels tended to be greater in the AA group. However, no statistically significant differences were observed between groups in body composition, strength, anabolic and catabolic hormones, or markers of muscle hypertrophy (i.e. total protein content or MHC type I, IIa, and IIx protein content) and other intramuscular markers (i.e. FP and EP₃ receptor density or MHC type I, IIa, and IIx mRNA expression).

Conclusion

AA supplementation during resistance-training may enhance anaerobic capacity and lessen the inflammatory response to training. However, AA supplementation did not promote statistically greater gains in strength, muscle mass, or influence markers of muscle hypertrophy.