The Effects of β-Hydroxy-β-Methylbutyrate (HMB) Use on Physical Performance in Athletes: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

In the discipline of sports nutrition, ergogenic aids utilized to enhance athletic performance, accelerate recovery, and optimize body composition occupy a prominent position. Among these supplements, one of the most prominent compounds is β -hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB), a metabolite of the essential amino acid leucine. The aim of this review is to analyze the role of HMB in sports nutrition, its mechanisms of action, and the effects of its two primary forms—HMB-Calcium (HMB-Ca) and HMB-Free Acid (HMB-FA)—on physical performance, body composition, and muscle damage, in the light of current literature.An examination of existing studies reveals that HMB operates through anti-catabolic and anabolic mechanisms, supporting increases in muscle mass and strength, particularly through the stimulation of biochemical signaling pathways. It has been determined that HMB supplementation supports lean body mass and strength gains when combined with resistance training, while it may enhance aerobic capacity in endurance athletes. In conclusion, based on the available evidence, HMB is considered a reliable and effective ergogenic aid, although its effectiveness may vary depending on individual training status and the form used.

Keywords

• Sports nutrition
• β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB)
• Ergogenic aid
• Performance
• Body composition.

Sporcularda β-Hidroksi-β-Metilbütirat (HMB) Kullanımının Fiziksel Performans Üzerine Etkileri: Kapsamlı Bir İnceleme

Abstract

Sporcu beslenmesi disiplininde; atletik performansı desteklemek, toparlanmayı hızlandırmak ve vücut kompozisyonunu optimize etmek amacıyla kullanılan ergojenik destekler önemli bir yer tutmaktadır. Bu takviyeler arasında öne çıkan bileşiklerden biri, esansiyel bir amino asit olan lösinin metaboliti β-hidroksi-β-metilbütirat (HMB)’tır. Bu derlemenin amacı; HMB’nin sporcu beslenmesindeki rolünü, etki mekanizmalarını ve iki ana formu olan HMB-Kalsiyum (HMB-Ca) ile HMB-Serbest Asit'in (HMB-FA) fiziksel performans, vücut kompozisyonu ve kas hasarı üzerindeki etkilerini güncel literatür ışığında analiz etmektir. Mevcut çalışmalar incelendiğinde, HMB'nin anti-katabolik ve anabolik mekanizmalarla çalıştığı, özellikle biyokimyasal sinyal yollarının uyarılması aracılığıyla kas kütlesi ve kuvvet artışlarını desteklediği görülmektedir. HMB takviyesinin direnç antrenmanlarıyla birleştirildiğinde yağsız vücut kütlesi ve kuvvet kazanımlarını desteklediği, dayanıklılık sporcularında ise aerobik kapasiteyi iyileştirebildiği belirlenmiştir. Sonuç olarak, mevcut kanıtlar doğrultusunda HMB güvenilir ve etkin bir ergojenik destek olarak değerlendirilmekle birlikte, etkinliği bireysel antrenman durumu ve kullanılan forma göre değişiklik gösterebilmektedir.

Keywords

• Sporcu beslenmesi
• β-hidroksi-β-metilbütirat (HMB)
• Ergojenik destek
• Performans
• Vücut kompozisyonu.

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