A Role for Branched-Chain Amino Acids in Reducing Central Fatigue
Open accessAbstract
Several factors have been identified to cause peripheral fatigue during exercise, whereas the mechanisms behind central fatigue are less well known. Changes in the brain 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) level is one factor that has been suggested to cause fatigue. The rate-limiting step in the synthesis of 5-HT is the transport of tryptophan across the blood-brain barrier. This transport is influenced by the fraction of tryptophan available for transport into the brain and the concentration of the other large neutral amino acids, including the BCAAs (leucine, isoleucine, and valine), which are transported via the same carrier system. Studies in human subjects have shown that the plasma ratio of free tryptophan (unbound to albumin)/BCAAs increases and that tryptophan is taken up by the brain during endurance exercise, suggesting that this may increase the synthesis of 5-HT in the brain. Ingestion of BCAAs increases their concentration in plasma. This may reduce the uptake of tryptophan by the brain and also 5-HT synthesis and thereby delay fatigue. Accordingly, when BCAAs were supplied to human subjects during a standardized cycle ergometer exercise their ratings of perceived exertion and mental fatigue were reduced, and, during a competitive 30-km cross-country race, their performance on different cognitive tests was improved after the race. In some situations the intake of BCAAs also improves physical performance. The results also suggest that ingestion of carbohydrates during exercise delays a possible effect of BCAAs on fatigue since the brain's uptake of tryptophan is reduced.
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The three branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), leucine, isoleucine, and valine are unique among the EAAs for their roles in protein metabolism, neural function, and blood glucose and insulin regulation.
“The three branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), leucine, isoleucine, and valine are unique among the EAAs for their roles in protein metabolism [150], neural function [151–153], and blood glucose and insulin regulation [154].”
From International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: protein and exercise (2017) · cites this paper as [151]
Cites
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“This amount of BCAA produces an increase of their concentration in plasma that is sufficient to balance the increase in free tryptophan concentration during and after exercise (36), and there is no reason to believe that this will cause an earlier fatigue due to elevated levels of ammonia in the blood.”
BackgroundSelf-citationBranched-chain amino acids prolong exercise during heat stress in men and women
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International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: protein and exercise
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International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: protein and exercise
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McMorris, T. (2016) · Physiology & Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2016.08.011 · Cited by 188 · see citing works
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Effect of Branched-Chain Amino Acid Supplementation on Recovery Following Acute Eccentric Exercise
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- Authors
- Blomstrand, E.
- Affiliations
- Karolinska Institutet (SE)
- Corresponding author
- Blomstrand, Eva
- ORCID
- Blomstrand, Eva
- Venue
- The Journal of Nutrition
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2006-02
- Volume
- 136
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 544S-547S
- ISSN
- 0022-3166 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2138477954
- Cited by
- 209
- References
- 6
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 15 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 14 · 2014: 17 · 2013: 10 · 2012: 8
- FWCI
- 4.54
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Journal of Nutrition (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Muscle metabolism and nutrition
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Rehabilitation › Exercise and Physiological Responses
- Keywords
- branched-chain amino acids, central fatigue, serotonin, tryptophan transport, blood-brain barrier, endurance exercise, mental fatigue, rating of perceived exertion, cognitive performance, carbohydrate intake, leucine, isoleucine, valine
- MeSH terms
- Amino Acids, Branched-Chain, Ammonia, Brain, Fatigue, Humans, Receptors, Serotonin, Serotonin
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