The Ergogenic And Clinical Effects Of Nutritional Supplement, Mass FxTm In Resistance Trained Adult Males

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a nutritional supplement, Mass FXTM, on muscular strength, body composition, and blood chemistries in resistance-trained adult males. METHODS: Eight subjects, mean age 25 ± 3.02 years, were randomly assigned to two groups (n=4). Each group was given either Mass FX or a Placebo in a double-blind manner to be taken orally for six weeks (4 caps/day regardless of body weight). For the duration of the study, both groups followed the same training program and a diet customized to each subject's body weight in conjunction to the supplementation. Data were analyzed using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) with a Bonferroni correction resulting in a family-wise level of significance of a=0.05, to avoid inflation of the Type I error. To confirm results, an independent samples t-test using a Bonferroni correction with a family-wise level of significance of a=0.05 was performed. RESULTS: Using ANCOVA, the groups were significantly different for the Bench Press outcome; whereas using the independent samples t-test, the two groups were significantly different for Bench Press and Free Testosterone (p=0.001). The strength improvements for Mass FX compared to the placebo were the following: Bench Press (+14.28 +/- 7.36 vs. +1.70+/-2.16 kg; p=0.019), Leg Press (+48.08 +/- 28.10 vs. +13.58+/- 16.11 kg; p>0.05), and Dead Lift (+15.84 +/-5.84 vs. +7.92 +7.9 +/-9.32 kg; p>0.05). Body composition changes were not statistically significant (p>0.05). Group and pretreatment measures were insufficient to explain the variance for total (p=0.619) and free testosterone (p=0.076). No adverse effects on selected clinical health markers for complete blood count with differential, hepatic (AST, ALP, ALT), lipids (TC, TGs, LDL, VLDL), and renal (creatinine, BUN) were observed from Mass FX supplementation (Group significance p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that short term supplementation with Mass FX may exert ergogenic benefits without adverse clinical effects using a controlled training program and diet. Due to limitations in terms of sample representation and size, this study should be considered a pilot study. Future studies need to investigate these parameters using larger sample sizes and longer supplementation duration. Supported by Anabolic Xtreme Grant.