AminoVital Improves Subjective Perceived Exertion Rating When Consumed Prior And During Anaerobic Exercise

PURPOSE AminoVital is a protein drink developed in 1995; however there is very little research concerning its effects on performance and training. This study examined the influence of the AminoVital sports drink on performance of bench press and leg press at 50%, 70%, and 85% of 1RM, followed 15 minutes later by a 1RM test for each. METHODS 12 subjects completed 1RM testing 1 week prior, and then completed the performance once with AminoVital and once with a carbohydrate drink mixed to have the equal caloric content of the AminoVital drink. The two trials were 5–8 days apart and completed in random order. On the morning of the trial, the subjects provided a urine sample, then drank 16 ounces of the drink. The performance trials were all done in the afternoon/evening, and subjects drank 300 mL of the drink prior to a warm-up trial, then performed each press to a maximum number of reps. Upon completion, subjects drank 300 mL more and rested 15 minutes before performing a 1RM test (ACSM procedures) for both bench and leg press. Performance variables were the number of reps and 1RM for bench and leg press. Physiological parameters were blood lactate, HR, and BP following each set. Other measures included RPE during 1st two lifts of 1RM protocol and urine specific gravity changes between morning and post trial. RESULTS None of the performance or physiological measures were significantly different between trials. However, RPE (Borg scale) was significantly lower during the 2nd lift (3 reps at 80% of max) for both bench press (16.3 +/− 1.4) and leg press (15.8 +/− 1.2) during AminoVital trial compared to the carbohydrate trial (Bench Press 17.3 +/− 1.1; Leg press 16.8 +/− 0.7). CONCLUSIONS This suggests that subjects felt less muscle fatigue with the AminoVital drink; however, possibly due to the short recovery time, no performance or physiological measures were significantly affected.