Plasma albumin concentrations were analyzed by the bromocresol green method (Albumin II-HA test Wako; Wako Pure Chemicals, Osaka, Japan). Subjective assessments of muscle soreness Subjective assessment of elbow flexor soreness in the biceps brachii muscle was surveyed using the VAS, which consisted of a 100-mm line with “no pain” at one end and “extreme pain” at the other end [25]. VAS scores were measured before exercise and on Days 1–4 with the arm in the extended position. Specifically, the exercised arm was placed on a table in the seated position and the investigator passively extended the elbow joint to test the perception of soreness. Because the degree of soreness

in the extended arm position was influenced by the technique of the investigator, the same investigator performed all measurements AZD1390 in vitro to avoid inter-investigator measurement error. The test-retest Cilengitide cost reliability determined using an Selleck Vactosertib intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was 0.98. Indirect marker of muscle damage via physical parameters The upper arm circumference (CIR) was used as an indirect marker of muscle damage and measured before exercise, after exercise, and on Days 1–4 (Figure 1). CIR was measured at five points 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 cm proximal to the elbow joint on a relaxed arm in the standing position using a constant-tension tape. To avoid daily variations in the measurement position, these sites on the upper

arm were marked with a semi-permanent ink pen during the first testing session. CIR was measured in duplicate and the mean value of each point was used for analysis. The values immediately after exercise and on Days 1–4 were presented as the differences from the values before exercise. The test-retest reliability determined using an ICC for CIR was 0.99. Statistical analysis Data are expressed as means ± SE. The values of CK, LDH, aldolase, of VAS, and CIR are presented as raw values and as the area under

the curve (AUC) during the experimental period. The AUC was calculated as the sum of four or five trapezoid areas separated by each measurement time point. At each point, the effects of each supplement protocol on the measured outcomes were determined by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey’s test or the non-parametric Wilcoxon post hoc test. Significant differences between two points and between multiple points within the same group were analyzed using Student’s paired t-test and repeated-measures ANOVA with Dunnett’s post hoc multiple comparison test, respectively. Significant differences (two-tailed) were set at P < 0.05. Analysis was conducted using SPSS software version 18.0 for Windows (IBM, Chicago, IL). Results Plasma amino acid concentrations Figure 2 shows the plasma concentrations of taurine, total BCAA, and individual BCAAs prior to amino acid supplementation, before exercise, and on Days 1 and 4.