The effect of β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) on the morphology of skeletal muscle after concurrent training

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) supplementation in association with concurrent training on morphological soleus muscle of rats. Wistar male rats were divided randomly into four groups: Control (C), Supplemented (S), Training (T) and Training + Supplemented (TS). Groups S and TS received 76mg/kg/day of HMB and the training groups (T and TS) were inserted into concurrent training program 3 times/week for 8 weeks. HMB had positive effects either on body composition of the animals or in type II muscle fibers. The concurrent exercise training was able in reducing the total fat mass as well as in increasing the diameter of muscle fibers. Our findings shows that HMB had an anti-catabolic effect with reference to the parameters of volume, weight and morphology of the soleus muscle, and there was a positive interaction between HMB supplementation and concurrent exercise training.