Abstract

Twenty top female aerobic gymnasts took part in a study investigating the changes resulting from 12 weeks of strenuous training and daily supplementation with 3.3 g kg^-1 body mass of glutamine as wheat protein isolate (1 g kg^-1 body mass of glutamine)  involving its potential benefits on sport performance. The gymnasts were randomly assigned to either the glutamine supplementation group (n=10) or a placebo group (n=10); both groups took part in the same program of strenuous training, controlled food intake, controlled vitamin and mineral supplementation. Physical and metabolic tests included measurements of body mass index, lean body mass, fat mass, muscular tonus, plasma lactate, creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenize (LDH), and work capacity. A practical index of muscle damage in athletes performing heavy training is elevation of muscle proteins (e.g. myoglobin, creatine kinase or lactate dehydrogenize) in the blood plasma. Significant decreases of plasma CK activity was showed a lower state of recent muscle damage  Lactate and LDH levels, as well as anaerobic work capacity did not change significantly between the groups or compared measurements made before and at the end of 90 days of supplementation. Muscle contraction efficiency (MCE), was at the end of the study 8 – 11% higher for the athletes who received glutamine compared to those who did not. Supplementing the diet of top female aerobic gymnasts with high-glutamine wheat protein isolate increased training performance and accelerated recovery rate.