An ergogenic aid is any substance or phenomenon that enhances performance. An ergo lytic agent is one that has a detrimental effect on performance. The ergogenic aid I would like to talk about is amino acids. Amino acids have been proposed to have special ergogenic properties. L-tryptophan, an essential amino acid, has been proposed to increase aerobic endurance performance through its effects on the CNS, acting as an analgesic and delaying fatigue (Kenney).
For my workouts I take a supplement called amino energy. It is made by optimum nutrition. Its slogan is “Amino Acid Powder for Increased Energy. Train Longer and Harder with Intense Energy and Focus.” I have been using it on and off for a few years now. It has an amino blend of the following: * Micronized Taurine, Micronized L-Glutamine, Micronized L-Arginine, Micronized L-Leucine, CarnoSyn® Beta-Alanine, Micronized Citrulline, Micronized L-Isoleucine, Micronized L-Valine, Micronized L-Tyrosine, Micronized L-Histidine, Micronzed L-Lysine, Micronized L-Phenylalanine, Micronzed L-Threonine, Micronized L-Methionine.
Of these, the three amino acids that we are concerned about are the valine, Leucine, and the isoleucine. These are our BCAA’s. Branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) have been postulated to work in combination with L-tryptophan to delay fatigue, primarily through CNS mechanisms. I can feel the difference between my motivation and longevity of my workouts when I take this product. It is doing everything that the book describes that it should do. Which is theoretically, increasing the BCAA would reduce the ratio and delay the onset of fatigue. I typically do not do a lot of running cardio such has treadmill, cycling, or Stairmaster, but I have used this when I boxed during college. During that time I was also able to train for longer periods of time. I did not experience any shortness of breath or over