The Effects of Intersession Consumption of a Proprietary Multi-Ingredient Ergogenic Supplement on Performance Adaptations During High-Volume Periodized Resistance Training

Increased awareness for improving human performance in both athletes and recreationally active individuals alike has largely enabled the use of dietary supplements to enhance the quality of exercise training and facilitate positive physiological adaptations. Regardless of the ongoing controversy of the ideal type of supplements or nutrients for performance enhancement, branched chain amino acids (BCAA), beta-alanine, glutamine, creatine, and various stimulant compounds have demonstrated a variable degree of ergogenic effects on the human body. This has stimulated the adoption of multi-ingredient ergogenic supplements (MIES) that incorporate a blend of the aforesaid substances in efforts to combine the purported ergogenic properties of each ingredient into one efficient supplement. However, the efficacy by which a MIES incorporating these aforesaid substance facilitates improvements in skeletal muscle function and performance during resistance training remains unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of intersession supplementation of a proprietary multi-ingredient ergogenic supplement comprised of branched chain amino acids, beta-alanine, creatine hydrochloride, glutamine, and black pepper fruit extract (piperine) on performance adaptations during six weeks of high-volume periodized resistance training. This study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study. Thirty-nine male (n=19) and female (n=20), recreationally trained subjects were recruited. Subjects were randomly assigned into either the placebo (PLA) or MIES supplement (MIES) group in a counterbalanced manner. All subjects underwent a 6-week periodized resistance-training program consisting of 3 sessions/week) with 48 hours of rest between intra-week sessions. MIES was administered one serving of the experimental MIES immediately post-exercise and before sleep on training days, and 2 servings on intersession rest days. PLA followed the same intake protocol with a taste- and calorie-matched placebo. Neuromuscular performance (maximal force and power output) was assessed at pre- and post-training laboratory visits. All testing procedures and training protocols were administered at the Cal Poly Pomona Human Performance Research Lab. There was a main effect of time for improvements in 1RM for each exercise in both MIES (Back Squat= +26.0%, p0.001; Bench Press= +20.4%, p0.001; Deadlift= +26.3%, p0.001) and PLA (Back Squat= +27.1%, p0.001; Bench Press= +15.6%, p0.001; Deadlift= +18.4%, p0.001), but no significant differences between groups were observed. There was also a main effect of time for improvements across all dynamic lower body power output measures for both groups, but no significant difference between groups were observed. There was no significant main effects or interaction of group x time on any dynamic upper body power output measures for both groups. Ingestion of the proprietary MIES blend in conjunction with a 6-week high-volume resistance training program did not significantly improve muscular performance when compared to a placebo group.