Amino Acids and Athletes

Amino acids are very important in protein muscle synthesis. This leads to the assumption that for athletes amino acids are extremely important. The article I chose to review about athletes and amino acids is by Zachary D McVey. The article is “The Role of Dietary Protein and Amino Acid Supplementation in the Post-Exercise Synthesis of Muscle Protein”. The article explains that amino acids help in the building of muscles which we all know athletes must maintain their muscle mass. “When combined with a ten week resistance training program, a creatine, amino acids and protein containing supplements improve aerobic capabilities (McVey, 2008).” Supplements must be taking wisely and cautiously because you do not want to overdo it and harm your body. According to the article there are three amino acids that are very important in muscle synthesis. These amino acids are valine, leucine, and isoleucine. When taking with protein supplements they provide longer muscle synthesis after exercising. The longer the muscle synthesis is the more the muscles will grow. Overall this article did have some great pointers for athletes but it also had some good points for non-athletes that want to build muscles. We must all maintain a healthy lifestyle and we need to understand what helps us maintain that lifestyle.

References

McVey, Z. (2008). The role of dietary protein and amino acid supplementation in the post-exercise synthesis of muscle protein is very important.Nutritional Perspectives: Journal of the Council on Nutrition, 31(1), 19. Retrieved from CINAHL Plus with Full Text database.