None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) and muscle damage are common and expected self-limiting sports training related conditions that can result in a loss of muscle force and significant pain. For athletes required to train and compete in close succession, DOMS can pose an obstacle to optimal performance. At present there are multiple methods for treating DOMS. Methods include; cryotherapy, anti-inflammatory medications, stretching, hypo-baric oxygen therapy, homeopathy, ultrasound, E-stimulation, L-carnitine, rest and light exercise. To date, a sound and consistent treatment for DOMS has not been established. High-quality scientific research into Complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAM) and DOMS is limited despite the increase usage of such products by athletes. This is a randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trial that looks at four selected CAM’s in four sub-studies and their effect on DOMS and muscle damage in sub-elite athletes.
Interventions
Intervention Group 1: Perna canaliculus (green lipped muscle) – capsule form (50mg per capsule). Dosage 2 oral capsules in the morning and evening with meals for eight weeks prior to the down hill run and for three days after.
Intervention Group 2: Harpagophytum procumbens (Devil’s Claw) – liquid form (500mg per millilitre). Dosage 10ml orally daily for six weeks prior to the down hill run and four days after.
Intervention Group 3: Arnica Gel (10mg per gram) – topical application, directions t
Intervention Group 1: Perna canaliculus (green lipped muscle) – capsule form (50mg per capsule). Dosage 2 oral capsules in the morning and evening with meals for eight weeks prior to the down hill run and for three days after. Intervention Group 2: Harpagophytum procumbens (Devil’s Claw) – liquid form (500mg per millilitre). Dosage 10ml orally daily for six weeks prior to the down hill run and four days after. Intervention Group 3: Arnica Gel (10mg per gram) – topical application, directions to rub into the quadriceps straight after the down hill run and then every four hours (excluding sleeping hours) for five consecutive days. Intervention Group 4: Tienchi ginseng – oral tablet form (1000mg per tablet). Dosage 4 tablets, four times daily. Taken 1 hour prior to the down hill run and then for the next consecutive four days. The down hill run consists of 5 bouts of 8 minute down hill running (-10% gradient) with 2 minute rest intervals walking on the flat.
Sponsors
University of Western Sydney
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Prevention
Masking
Blinded (masking used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
Male
Age
18 Years to 35 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Trained athletes of sub-elite level
Exclusion criteria
Gastric and/or duodenal ulcers, or gallstones, allergies to shellfish products, diet excessive in fatty fish (i.e. high in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and omega 3 fatty acids)
Outcome results
None listed