Twenty resistance trained males aged 21.3 ± 1.9 years were recruited for the study and randomly assigned to consume 3 g per day of HMB-FA (combined with food-grade orange flavors and sweeteners) or a placebo (food-grade orange flavors and sweeteners). All subjects were placed on a diet consisting of 25 % protein, 50 % carbohydrates, and 25 % fat by a registered dietician who specialized in sport (RD, LDN, CISSN). Seventy-two hours prior to the overreaching phase subjects were tested for baseline measures of creatine kinase (CK), cortisol, Wingate power and strength on the squat, bench press, and deadlift. Following, all subjects participated in a 2-week high volume resistance-training cycle. Each Monday through Thursday, subjects performed 3 maximal sets of 8-12 repetitions and 60-90 seconds rest of squats, leg press, bench press, deadlifts, pull-ups, military press, bent over rows, barbell curls and extensions. On Friday subjects were given three 1-RM attempts on the squat, bench press, and deadlift for a total of 9 maximal working sets, followed by power testing on the Wingate on Saturday. A 2 X 3 (Group X time (weeks 0, 1, and 2)) repeated measures ANOVA was used to assess any main effects. If main effects were found LSD post hoc tests were incorporated to determine where differences were located.
