Exercise-Induced Muscle Stress
Conditions
Brief summary
This study investigated whether a mixed microgreens intervention could modulate biochemical responses to strenuous eccentric exercise. The findings suggest that microgreens consumption was associated with lower post-exercise levels of several muscle damage and inflammatory biomarkers, particularly CK, LDH, AST, TNF-α, and CRP, while effects on myoglobin and IL-6 were limited. Further controlled studies are needed to confirm these findings and clarify their biological significance.
Interventions
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTMixed Microgreens and Wheatgrass Juice
Participants received a mixed preparation of black radish, red radish, broccoli, and kale microgreens at a total daily dose of 60 g, divided into three 20-g administrations consumed in the morning, at noon, and in the evening. Participants also consumed 30 mL of wheatgrass juice each morning during the intervention period. The intervention was administered over four cycles, with each cycle consisting of 5 consecutive days followed by a 2-day interval. The final intervention cycle coincided with the exercise period.
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTLettuce
Participants assigned to the control group received lettuce as the control green food according to the study protocol and underwent the same exercise and assessment procedures as the intervention group.
Sponsors
Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
20 Years to 25 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Male football players aged 20-25 years. Active participation in an amateur football team in Çanakkale, Türkiye. Physically active according to the physical activity criteria referenced by the American College of Sports Medicine and the World Health Organization. No health condition that would prevent participation in the study procedures. Willingness to comply with the study protocol and scheduled assessments. Provision of written informed consent.
Exclusion criteria
* Musculoskeletal or joint injury, particularly involving the lower extremities, within the previous 6 months. Regular use of medication. History of chronic disease, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or other metabolic disorders. No regular participation in a structured training program during the preceding year. History of alcohol or tobacco use. Inability or unwillingness to comply with the study procedures.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Serum biochemical responses following eccentric plyometric exercise | Baseline, 24, 48, and 72 hours after exercise | Between-group differences in serum biochemical responses following the standardized high-intensity eccentric plyometric exercise protocol. Muscle-related biochemical markers included creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, and myoglobin. Inflammatory markers included interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and C-reactive protein. Measurements were obtained at baseline and 24, 48, and 72 hours after exercise, and the temporal responses were compared between the control and plant-based intervention groups. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Outcome results
None listed