Int J Sports Med 1985; 06(1): 44-49
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1025812
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Effects of Potassium + Magnesium Aspartate on Muscle Metabolism and Force Development during Short Intensive Static Exercise

A. de Haan, J. E. van Doorn, H. G. Westra
  • Working Group Exercise Physiology and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Amsterdam and Interfaculty of Human Movement Studies, Free University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
  • Coronel Laboratory of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
14 March 2008 (online)

Abstract

Improvement of muscle performance by 20%-50% in man at a submaximal work load after administration of potassium and magnesium salts of aspartic acid (K+Mg Asp) has been reported in the literature. Administration of K+Mg Asp has been reported to affect force production and energy metabolism in short-term activities of electrical stimulated animal muscles.

The present study examined the possible effects of K+Mg Asp on:

(1) energy metabolism and force production of electrically stimulated rat quadriceps muscle and (2) endurance time of a submaximal static force of voluntary contracting human muscles.

In rat muscles metabolic parameters such as ATP, phospho-creatine, lactate, and L-aspartate were not influenced by oral administration of K+Mg Asp. Force parameters of rat quadriceps muscles were not enhanced after administration of K+Mg Asp.

In human volunteers neither the exerted force nor the endurance time increased after oral administration of K+Mg Asp. An effect of K+Mg Asp on muscle metabolism by stimulation of the purine nucleotide cycle was not found. Improvement of muscle performance by 20%-50%, as reported for long-term activity, was not observed for short-term intensive activity.