FIGURE 1.

Study protocol. For the first 12 weeks of the intervention period, all participants (N = 22) were given 6 g of leucine containing supplements (125 ml thrice daily plus three 333 mg capsules thrice daily) and performed daily exercise (exercise compliance, mean ± SD, 87.1 ± 15.3%). During the next 12 weeks, participants neither drank the beverage nor exercised regularly. Blood sampling, bioimpedance analysis, muscle strength, and physical performance tests, as well as monitoring of dietary intake, were performed at baseline and at 12 and 24 weeks. Blood sampling, muscle strength test, and physical performance tests were performed immediately before HD session. Body composition test was performed pre- and post- HD, and post-HD body composition was used for analysis.