Effects of carbohydrate,branched-chain amino acids,and arginine in recovery period on the subsequent performance in wrestlers

Many athletes need to participate in multiple events in a single day. the efficient post-exercise glycogen recovery may be critical for the performance in subsequent exercise. this study examined whether post-exercise carbohydrate supplementation could restore the performance in the subsequent simulated wrestling match. the effect of branched-chain amino acids and arginine on glucose disposal and performance was also investigated. nine well-trained male wrestlers participated in 3 trials in a random order. each trial contained 3 matches with a 1-hr rest between match 1 and 2,and a 2-hr rest between match 2 and 3. each match contained 3 exercise periods interspersed with 1-min rests. the subjects alternated 10-s all-out sprints and 20-s rests in each exercise period. at the end of match 2,3 different supplementations were consumed: 1.2 g/kg glucose (cho trial),1 g/kg glucose + 0.1 g/kg arg + 0.1 g/kg bcaa (cho+aa trial),or water (placebo trial). the peak and average power in the 3 matches was similar in the 3 trials. after the supplementation,cho and cho+aa trial showed significantly higher glucose and insulin,and lower glycerol and non-esterified fatty acid concentrations than the placebo trial. there was no significant difference in these biochemical parameters between the cho and cho+aa trials. supplementation of carbohydrate with or without bcaa and arginine during the post-match period had no effect on the performance in the following simulated match in wrestlers. in addition,bcaa and arginine did not provide additional insulinemic effect. © 2011 jang et al; licensee biomed central ltd.