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Study note

Branched-chain amino acid supplementation and human performance when hypohydrated in the heat.

Updated Oct 17, 2026

Human researchJournal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985)2004Read the source on PubMed

What the study found

Adding branched-chain amino acids changed blood amino-acid measures but did not improve exercise, cognition, mood or perceived exertion compared with carbohydrate alone.

Participants and protocol

Seven heat-acclimated men completed two trials after experimentally induced glycogen depletion and hypohydration, exercising in a hot chamber with energy-matched drinks.

What this cannot establish

The preparation was deliberately stressful and is not a routine to reproduce. The findings do not establish benefits in hydrated athletes or justify dehydration or supplement use.

Publication details
Record
PubMed 15358751
Publication types
Clinical Trial
Indexed subjects
Dehydration · Heat Exhaustion · Amino Acids, Branched-Chain · Treatment Outcome · Psychomotor Performance
Source record checked
2026-10-18

Publication type and subject indexing describe the record; they are not a quality grade or proof of a benefit. An abstract does not replace a review of the full methods and results.

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