The effects of branched-chain amino acid supplementation on delayed onset muscle soreness in people with diabetes

For individuals with diabetes, exercise is important for maintaining proper glycemic control. However, exercise induces muscle soreness, making it problematic for these individuals to maintain exercise regimes. In younger non-diabetic individuals, studies have shown that nutritional supplementation including branched chain amino acids (BCAA), enhance muscle recovery. The purpose of this blinded study was to assess the effects of BCAA supplementation on delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) in diabetics compared to healthy controls. Forty-four subjects; 28 healthy, and 16 with diabetes, were randomly assigned to either the BCAA or placebo group. Measurements including muscle strength, electromyography response of the biceps muscle during maximum effort, perceived soreness, serum myoglobin concentration, elbow range of motion, and skin temperatures were collected before the biceps exercise session and for the five following days. The results showed that while serum myoglobin concentrations increased at 48 hours for both the healthy and diabetic subjects, it was significantly higher(P = 0.013) in the diabetic subjects who took the placebo supplement (pre-exercise = 54.5 +/- 8 ng/mL, 48 hours = 767.1 +/- 189 ng/mL) when compared to those who took the BCAA supplement (pre-exercise = 51.4 +/- 7 ng/mL, 48 hours = 158.1 +/- 62 ng/mL). Pain was 79.6% higher in the diabetic group who took the placebo when compared to the BCAA group (P = 0.017). In conclusion, BCAA supplementation reduced muscle damage and muscle soreness in diabetic subjects, whereas they had minimal effects on the healthy control subjects.