GLUTAMINE AS AN AID IN THE RECOVERY OF MUSCLE STRENGTH: SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Background: after a traumatic injury or post surgical orthopedic, the loss of skeletal muscle strength is common. In addition to strength training schemes and/or resistance to treatment, it has been proposed as an additional treatment, the use of some amino acids such as glutamine (Gin) in isolation or combination with other nutrients. However, the information on the effectiveness of oral Gin supplementation during exercise strength schemes and / or endurance in adults with strength deficit is inconsistent. Objective: to evaluate the strength of the evidence at hand about the effect of oral supplementation on muscle strength Gin set to strength training schemes and / or resistance in adult muscle strength deficit. Methods: a systematic search was conducted in different databases, in clinical trials reported from the year 1980-2014, both in English and Spanish, about oral Gln supplementation alone or in combination with other nutrients, with a control group, in adults with strength deficits under exercise schemes of strength and / or endurance, tracking under a year and muscle power as the primary outcome. Results: of 661 articles, six relevant studies were identified. The study participants in Gin isolation evaluation did not suggest changes between the groups, only an improvement in the perception of muscle weakness. Studies evaluating Gin with other nutrients, have reported results in favor of it. No meta-analysis was possible. Conclusions: nowadays there are insufficient data on the effects related to the Gin on the deficit of muscular force during exercise schemes in adults. It is required more research in this topic to respond more accurately about this fact.