Originally Posted by
terrymorse
But if you are exercising to get stronger, is reducing muscle soreness and recovery time a "good thing"?
The training adaptation response is induced by inflammation. For an athlete wishing to get stronger, inflammation is their buddy. It's a sign that the training was hard enough to elicit a response, and they are likely to become stronger because of it.
If taking a supplement reduces inflammation, could it be interfering with the adaptation?
Some studies suggest
taking high dose NSAIDs like ibuprofen after exercise inhibit muscle strength gains. Could HMB inhibit gains in the same way?
I and a close friend have been taking HMB for quite a while. As far as we can tell, reduced soreness from HMB is because of faster healing. If I overdo it, I still get sore, but it doesn't last as long with HMB. The soreness is still definitely there. As you say, soreness is your buddy. If one is taking HMB and not getting sore, one just needs to increase intensity, the desired benefit from HMB. The effect is simply like being a few years younger, back when your body made the HMB all by itself.
I am in agreement with you about NSAIDs. They're tempting but usually a bad idea unless it's so bad you can't sleep. Randonneurs know better than to use NSAIDs on a long ride - temps one to really F it up.