EFFECT OF ACUTE POTASSIUM-MAGNESIUM ASPARTATE SUPPLEMENTATION ON AMMONIA CONCENTRATIONS DURING AND AFTER RESISTANCE TRAINING

This study examined the effects of aspartate supplementation (ASP) on plasma ammonia concentrations ([NH4+]) during and after a resistance t raining workout (RTW). Twelve male weight trainers were randomly admin istered ASP or vitamin C in a crossover, double blind protocol, each t rial separated by 1 wk. ASP and vitamin C were given over a 2-hr perio d beginning 5 hr prior to the RTW. The RTW consisted of bench, incline , shoulder, and triceps presses, and biceps curls at 70% of one repeti tion maximum (1-RM). After the RTW a bench press test (BPT) to failure at 65% of 1-RM was used to assess performance. [NH4+] was determined preexercise, 20 and 40 min midworkout, immediately postexercise, and 1 5 min postexercise. Treatment-by-time ANOVAs, paired t tests, and cont rast comparisons were used to identify mean differences. No significan t differences were observed between treatments for [NH4+] or BPT. [NH4 +] increased significantly from Pre to immediately postexercise for bo th the ASP and vitamin C trials. Acute ASP supplementation does not re duce [NH4+] during and after a high intensity RTW in weight trained su bjects.