The Effects of BCAA and Creatine Supplementation on Anaerobic Capacity and Ball Kicking Speed in Male Football Players

Abstract

Background and objective: The use of nutritional supplements has increased in recent years. This study analyzes the effects of Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAA) and creatine (CR) supplementation on anaerobic capacity and ball kicking speed in football players. Material and methods: 24 volunteer-active male amateur football players between 18-26 were recruited for this study. Football players were randomly divided into three groups as BCAA (n = 8), CR (n = 8), and placebo (PLA) (n = 8). Experimental groups were given 5 g BCAA and 2 g creatine before and after exercise, whereas the placebo group ingested bran, performance tests and measurements were performed, and results were assessed. Results: BCAA group average power (pre: 530.70 +/- 53.73 W vs. post: 567.65 +/- 66.68 W; p = 0.028), CR group minimum power (pre: 413.75 +/- 51.13 W vs. post: 462.82 +/- 71.93 W; p = 0.043) increased, while there were decreases in peak power (pre: 659.34 +/- 121.03 W vs. post: 613.20 +/- 124.24 W; p = 0.043) and fatigue index (pre: 6.55 +/- 2.12 W/s vs. post: 4.34 +/- 2.37 W/s; p = 0.043) parameters of PLA group (p < 0.05). There were statistically significant differences in the BCAA group in rest, pre-and post-supplementation; CR group in pre-and post-supplementation; PLA group in rest, pre-and post-supplementation (p < 0.05). Conclusions: BCAA and creatine consumption do not affect recovery rates in football players regarding obtained data. But, regarding other findings of this study, BCAA and creatine supplementation improves anaerobic capacity, provides strength endurance against fatigue, and prevents the decrement of ball-kicking speed in exhaustion.