Healthy
Conditions
Brief summary
Eccentric exercise induces muscle damage and delay functional recovery. Broccoli-derived glucoraphanin (a sulforaphane precursor that activates Nrf2 defenses) may aid repair; however, its short-term effects in humans remains unknown. This study aims to evaluate whether short-term supplementation with broccoli-derived glucoraphanin will improve recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover design, fifteen participants will consume either high-glucoraphanin broccoli powder (320 μg) or placebo for one week, followed by elbow flexor eccentric exercise and continued supplementation. Strength, soreness, creatine kinase (CK), range of motion (ROM), arm girths, and ultrasound-assessed muscle and tendon morphology will be measured at baseline, immediately post-exercise, and at 48 and 96 hours post-exercise.
Interventions
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTbroccoli powder consumption
Participants underwent two separate sessions of muscle-damaging exercise targeting the elbow flexors: (1) following seven days of broccoli powder consumption (condition X), and (2) following an equivalent placebo regimen (condition Y). The broccoli supplementation consisted of 10 g of broccoli powder \[a freeze-dried glucoraphanin-rich broccoli powder (99.5% broccoli and 0.5% mustard seed)\] dissolved in 125 mL of boiling water, providing 320 μg of glucoraphanin per serving. It was consumed when still hot/warm once daily for seven days before and for four days following the eccentric exercise protocol. The placebo powder, matched in appearance and preparation, contained no broccoli-derived bioactives.
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTPlacebo (no broccoli-derived bioactives)
The placebo powder, matched in appearance and preparation, contained no broccoli-derived bioactives.
Sponsors
Lithuanian Sports University
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
18 Years to 35 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* no resistance training experience in the past 6 months, no arm injuries in the past 2 years, no illnesses in the month prior to data collection, and no known allergies to broccoli or other cruciferous vegetables.
Exclusion criteria
* incomplete participation.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Peak torque, Nm/s | At baseline, immediately post-exercise, and at 48 hours, and at 96 hours post-exercise. | Exercise induced damage marker, isokinetic and isometric knee extension |
| Range of motion, degree | At baseline, immediately post-exercise, and at 48 hours, and at 96 hours post-exercise. | Exercise induced damage marker, elbow extension and flexion |
| Arm girth, mm | At baseline, immediately post-exercise, and at 48 hours, and at 96 hours post-exercise. | Exercise induced muscle damage marker, arm relaxed and fully flexed |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Soreness, points | At baseline, immediately post-exercise, and at 48 hours, and at 96 hours post-exercise. | exercise induced damage marker, biceps brachii, 10-point visual analogue scale with 0 indicating no soreness and 10 indicating intolerably intense soreness. |
| Creatine kinase, IU/L | At baseline, immediately post-exercise, and at 48 hours, and at 96 hours post-exercise. | Exercise induced muscle damage marker in venous blood |
Outcome results
None listed