Muscle Sentry® has No Effect on Total Work Performed and Estimated MVO after High Intensity Short Duration...

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Sports Nutrition
• Nutritional Supplementation

Background:

• Dietary supplements are frequently used by athletes, yet their efficacy is often debated.
• Objective assessment of supplement claims requires rigorous scientific investigation.
• Muscle Sentry® is a supplement marketed for performance enhancement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effect of Muscle Sentry® supplementation on total lifted weight and estimated maximal oxygen uptake (MVO₂).
• To compare performance metrics between Muscle Sentry® and a placebo in resistance-trained individuals.

Main Methods:

• A double-blind, placebo-controlled study with a 7-day washout period.
• Participants (11 women, 10 men, aged 20-24) performed chest and leg press exercises to failure at 8 RM.
• Heart rate and blood pressure were measured to calculate Rate Pressure Product (RPP) for estimating MVO₂.

Main Results:

• No significant differences were observed in total lift numbers (chest, leg, combined) between Muscle Sentry® and placebo.
• Estimated MVO₂ (normalized post RPP and RPP difference) showed no significant treatment effect.
• No significant effects were found when analyzing results by gender.

Conclusions:

• Ingesting Muscle Sentry® 40 minutes prior to resistance exercise did not enhance total lifting capacity or estimated MVO₂.
• The findings challenge the manufacturer's claims regarding the performance-enhancing benefits of Muscle Sentry®.
• Further research may be needed to explore potential benefits in different exercise modalities or populations.