The effect of supplementation of HMB (beta-hydroxy betamethyl butyrate) and plyometric exercises on performance and body composition of elite parkour athletes in Tehran

Parkour is a sport with alternating energy system in which some items such as lower body explosive power, muscular strength, production of high levels of power in the shortest period of time and high agility are of particular importance.Considering the anabolic and anticatabolic properties of beta-hydroxy beta-methyl butyrate (HMB), the aim of this study is to investigate the effect of taking this supplement along with plyometric training on body composition, agility and standing jump power of parkour athletes.

For this purpose, forty parkour trained men (19-26 years old) have been chosen and randomly categorized into four groups: HMB group, Plyometric group, HMB and Plyometric group and control group. The training program was performed for plyometric and plyometric-HMB group, three sessions per week for eight weeks which took one hour each Session. Also HMB and plyometric-HMB groups consumed three grams of HMB per day for eight weeks. Body composition analysis and Illinois test and standing jump power test were conducted before and after eight weeks of plyometric training and HMB supplementation. Research data was analysed by ANCOVA statistical test.

The results of statistical analysis of each group showed that performing eight weeks of plyometric training significantly improves the standing jump power, agility and body fat percentage of the parkour athletes (p <0.05).

These findings indicate that plyometric training increase the standing jump power and agility and reduce the body fat percentage in parkour athletes, but taking HMB supplement along with plyometric training only helps to burn more fat in the parkour athletes.