Sustamine Benefits Athletic Performance in Study

A University of Central Florida study on basketball players found improved visual reaction timing and skill performance with Sustamine, a patented ingredient from Kyowa Hakko USA (New York City).

Sustamine is a dipeptide combining the amino acids L-alanine and L-glutamine. The ingredient is intended to support body hydration and sustained energy during physical exertion.

Ten female athletes, with current or previous experience in Division I basketball, participated in four trials consisting of a 40-minute basketball game with controlled timeouts for hydration. No hydration was allowed during the first game whereas different doses of water or water mixed with Sustamine were provided during the following three games. Players were measured for weight loss, concentration, and visual reaction time.

After the first trial (hydration unavailable), players experienced an average 2.3% reduction in body mass with shooting accuracy and visual reaction timing trending towards an impairment. Shooting accuracy and visual reaction time improved with Sustamine and water, compared to placebo and water hydration.

“We saw significant differences in overall performance when players consumed Sustamine in water versus water only or no hydrate at all,” said Jay R. Hoffman, PhD, professor at the UCF department of sport and exercise science and lead researcher in the study. “Because Sustamine enhances fluid and electrolyte uptake directly from the gut, it helps preserve the neural function that commands physical activities involving fine motor control-such as shooting a basketball.”

The study was published in the March issue of the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition.