3‐Methylhistidine excretion in training for improved power and strength

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Abstract
In order to find a relationship between 3‐methylhistidine excretion and training effects, excretion of 3‐methyl‐histidine was measured in young men during an 8‐week training period for improving power or strength. A preliminary methodologic study demonstrated: (1) the change in corrected 3‐methylhistidine (exogenous dietary 3‐methylhistidine was substracted from the total excretion) after a training session for improved power is in good accordance with results obtained in young men living 5 days on a meat‐free diet; (2) the highest rate of corrected 3‐methylhistidine excretion is within 12 to 24 hours after a training session for improving strength or power. Thus, if the training session takes place before noon, the urine collected during the following night is used for evaluating the influence of exercise on corrected 3‐methylhistidine excretion. Eight weeks of power training caused a significant improvement in 30 m dash, vertical jump, standing triple jump, standing triple jump, and squat lift if the exercise loads were 70% of 1 repetition maximum (1RM) (in 50% 1RM exercise, the effect was less pronounced). Heavy resistance training improved results in vertical jump, standing triple jump, and, most of all, in squat lift. A very pronounced increase in cross‐section of thigh muscle (evaluated by x‐ray photography) resulted from heavy resistance training with 70% 1RM exercise. In all groups a pronounced elevation of corrected 3‐methylhistidine excretion was observed in night urine during the first 3 weeks of training. The response was most pronounced in a group of heavy resistance training subjects with 70% 1RM exercise. In this group the elevated 3‐methylhistidine excretion persisted during 6 weeks of training. Thus, a pronounced 3‐methylhistidine excretion response is associated with the highest training effect on muscular hypertrophy.