The Effect of Branched-Chain Amino Acid Supplementation and Exercise on Body Composition During Energy Restriction

This double blind placebo study will take place over an 8 week treatment period of diet and exercise. All participants (n=16), in two groups, will be placed on the same hypocaloric diet and exercise program. Participants will be matched into pairs based on body fat % and then assigned into a test group \& a placebo group. The placebo will be in the form of a powdered isoenergetic beverage with carbohydrate similar in taste \& appearance to the powder BCAA supplement that the test group will receive. The test group will be put on 0.342g/kg of BCAA per day, partially accounted for through their diet with the rest provided by a BCAA supplement. At baseline, 4 weeks and 8 weeks habitual 3 day food logs, waist to hip ratio and BodPod measures of body fat \& lean mass (both percentage \& absolute values) will be taken for all participants.