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Abstract
This study examined whether supplementing the diet with a commercial supplement containing zinc magnesium aspartate (ZMA) during training affects zinc and magnesium status, anabolic and catabolic hormone profiles, and/or training adaptations. Forty-two resistance trained males (27 ± 9 yrs; 178 ± 8 cm, 85 ± 15 kg, 18.6 ± 6% body fat) were matched according to fat free mass and randomly assigned to ingest in a double blind manner either a dextrose placebo (P) or ZMA 30–60 minutes prior to going to sleep during 8-weeks of standardized resistance-training. Subjects completed testing sessions at 0, 4, and 8 weeks that included body composition assessment as determined by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, 1-RM and muscular endurance tests on the bench and leg press, a Wingate anaerobic power test, and blood analysis to assess anabolic/catabolic status as well as markers of health. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA. Results indicated that ZMA supplementation non-significantly increased serum zinc levels by 11 – 17% (p = 0.12). However, no significant differences were observed between groups in anabolic or catabolic hormone status, body composition, 1-RM bench press and leg press, upper or lower body muscular endurance, or cycling anaerobic capacity. Results indicate that ZMA supplementation during training does not appear to enhance training adaptations in resistance trained populations.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank the subjects that participated in this study and the laboratory assistants in the Exercise and Sport Nutrition Laboratory (ESNL) who assisted with data collection and analysis. The authors would also like to thank Dr. Bob DiSilvestro from Ohio State University who performed the zinc and magnesium assays. This study was funded by a research grant from Cytodyne Technologies, Inc. (Lakewood, NJ). Researchers in the ESNL independently collected, analyzed, and interpreted the results from this study and have no financial interests in the results of this study. Presentation of results in this study does not constitute endorsement by Baylor University or its authors of the supplements investigated.