The Claim

Daily supplementation with 3 grams of HMB-free acid during six weeks of progressive resistance training in healthy older men aged 67–69 resulted in a 5.8% increase in thigh lean mass as measured by DXA, compared to a 3.0% increase in the placebo group, which was not statistically significant.

Source: A double-blind placebo controlled trial into the impacts of HMB supplementation and exercise on free-living muscle protein synthesis, muscle mass and function, in older adults

What the research says

Supports is higher

Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.

Supports
60score
Challenges
0score

These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.

Quantitative
1 study reviewed
In plain English

In healthy men aged 67 to 69, taking 3 grams of HMB-free acid daily while doing strength training led to a slightly greater increase in thigh muscle mass compared to a placebo, though the difference was not large enough to be considered statistically certain.

See the scientific wording

In healthy older men aged 67–69 undergoing six weeks of progressive resistance training, daily supplementation with 3 grams of HMB-free acid resulted in a 5.8% increase in thigh lean mass measured by DXA, while the placebo group showed only a 3.0% increase that was not statistically significant, suggesting HMB may modestly enhance muscle mass accrual in response to training in this population.

What the research says

1 study

  1. Study: A double-blind placebo controlled trial into the impacts of HMB supplementation and exercise on free-living muscle protein synthesis, muscle mass and function, in older adults

    In a study with older men doing strength training, those who took HMB supplements gained more muscle in their thighs than those who took a placebo, even though both groups got stronger. This suggests HMB might help build a little extra muscle when you exercise.

Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies

Fit Body Science verdict — we translate health claims into clear verdicts backed by peer-reviewed research.

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