The Effects of Chronic Branched-Chain Amino Acid Supplementation on Running Kinematics: Single Case Research

Abstract Purpose: To monitor the effects of chronic branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) supplementation on running kinematics in a trained ultra-endurance runner. Methods: One well-trained ultra-endurance runner followed three 10-day cycles of an AB design consuming a BCAA drink (SUP) or placebo (PLA) surrounding daily key workouts leading up to a 50-mile race (dosage = 0.08g/kg/day = 3.52g BCAA/day and 10.32g AA/day). During each 10-day cycle, the athlete completed a 5km run on an outdoor track at 6:30min/mile pace. A 10-meter capture zone was measured and marked with two orange cones for video recording and analysis. Kinovea open-source software (Version 0.8.15) was used to measure running kinematic variables: ground contact time (GCT), flight time (FT), and vertical oscillation (VO). Results: Vertical oscillation (VO) during a constant-pace run was significantly reduced from 88mm to 76mm when athlete was on SUP vs PLA condition (p = 0.00, Tau-U = 0.40). Statistical significance was not achieved for differences in GCT and FT between SUP and PLA (p = 0.06, Tau-U = 0.-17 and p = 0.28, Tau-U = 0.10 for GCT and FT, respectively). Weighted Tau-U results suggest that the BCAA supplement was overall 11% effective in improving combined measures of running kinematics (p = 0.04, Tau-U = 0.11). Discussion: A decrease in VO can indicate less overall muscle support requirements during stance phase and a reduced aerobic demand for a given task. We observed decreased VO during the 5km running tests on SUP indicating a reduction in wasteful vertical motion. Possible explanations for this could relate to improvement in muscle recovery characteristics from increased availability of BCAAs resulting in less chronic fatigue. Less fatigue can allow greater coactivation between two-joint muscles of the leg during stance resulting in more efficient joint rotations that are transferred into desired external forces, promoting more efficient movement and a more economical runner.