HMB May Help Protect Against Muscle Soreness

Beta-hydroxy butyrate free acid (HMB) is a metabolite of the amino acid leucine. A new study has found that supplementation with HMB may help reduce delayed-onset muscle soreness.

24 professional soccer players participated in the study. Half were given one gram of HMB with 3 meals (a total of 3 grams daily) while the other half were given a placebo. Blood samples were taken at baseline and immediately after performing a simulated soccer exercise.

Participants in the HMB group saw significant reductions in indicators of muscle injuly such as creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LD) compared to the placebo group. Higher levels of CK or LDH are typically associated with muscle injury or soreness.

The study was conducted by researchers from Khorramshahr University of Marine Science and Technology. It was published online ahead of print on March 24, 2022 in the journal PNR.

A previous study found that vitamin E may help protect against muscle damage.