Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS), Exercise-Induced Inflammation, Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage, Exercise-Induced Oxidative Stress, Sports Recovery
Conditions
Keywords
Curcumin, Curcuma longa, Ibuprofen, Nutritional Supplementation, Eccentric Exercise, Exercise Recovery, Muscle Damage, Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, Sports Nutrition, Female Athletes, Physically Active Women, Randomized Controlled Trial, Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS), Oxidative Stres
Brief summary
xercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) is a common consequence of unaccustomed or high-intensity exercise and is characterized by muscle soreness, impaired physical performance, inflammation, oxidative stress, and increased circulating biomarkers of muscle damage. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, are frequently used to alleviate these symptoms, although their repeated use may be associated with adverse effects. Curcumin, a natural polyphenol with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, has emerged as a potential nutritional strategy to support post-exercise recovery. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial aims to compare the effects of oral curcumin supplementation and ibuprofen administration on exercise-induced muscle damage in physically active women. The study evaluates clinical outcomes, physical performance, biomarkers of muscle damage, inflammation, oxidative stress, and other health-related biomarkers to determine whether curcumin may represent a safe and effective nutritional alternative for promoting recovery after eccentric exercise.
Detailed description
Exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) following eccentric exercise is characterized by structural disruption of skeletal muscle fibers accompanied by transient inflammation, oxidative stress, delayed-onset muscle soreness, and impaired physical performance. Although these responses are considered part of the normal adaptive process, excessive muscle damage may delay recovery and impair subsequent training or competition. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used by athletes to reduce post-exercise pain and inflammation. However, repeated NSAID use has been associated with gastrointestinal, renal, and cardiovascular adverse effects, highlighting the need for safe nutritional alternatives capable of supporting recovery without interfering with physiological adaptation. Curcumin, the principal bioactive polyphenol derived from Curcuma longa, exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective properties through modulation of multiple molecular pathways involved in redox homeostasis and inflammatory signaling. Experimental and clinical studies suggest that curcumin may attenuate exercise-induced muscle damage by reducing oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and muscle soreness, although evidence remains inconsistent and direct comparisons with NSAIDs are scarce. The objective of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial is to compare the efficacy of oral curcumin supplementation with ibuprofen and placebo in physically active women following eccentric exercise. The study evaluates clinical recovery, physical performance, biomarkers of muscle damage, inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers, and additional health-related biomarkers in order to characterize the physiological effects of curcumin supplementation and determine its potential role as a nutritional strategy for exercise recovery.
Interventions
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTCurcumin
Participants received oral curcumin supplementation according to the study protocol before and after the eccentric exercise protocol. Curcumin was administered at the predefined dose and duration specified in the protocol. The intervention aimed to evaluate its effects on exercise-induced muscle damage, inflammation, oxidative stress, antioxidant defense, physical performance, and recovery in physically active women.
DRUGIbuprofen
Participants received oral ibuprofen according to the study protocol before and after the eccentric exercise protocol. Ibuprofen was administered at the predefined dose and duration specified in the protocol and served as the active comparator for evaluating recovery following exercise-induced muscle damage.
OTHERPlacebo
Participants received placebo capsules identical in appearance, packaging, and administration schedule to the active interventions. The placebo contained inert ingredients and was administered according to the study protocol before and after the eccentric exercise protocol.
Sponsors
University of Valladolid
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Masking description
Participants, investigators responsible for data collection, and outcome assessors remained blinded to treatment allocation throughout the study. Curcumin, ibuprofen, and placebo capsules were identical in appearance, packaging, and administration schedule. Treatment allocation codes were concealed until completion of data collection and statistical analysis.
Intervention model description
Participants were randomly assigned to one of three parallel groups receiving oral curcumin supplementation, ibuprofen, or placebo. Following supplementation, all participants performed a standardized eccentric exercise protocol. Clinical outcomes, physical performance, biomarkers of muscle damage, inflammation, oxidative stress, antioxidant defense, and other health-related biomarkers were evaluated during the recovery period.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to 30 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Healthy physically active women. Age within the predefined study range. Regular participation in physical activity for at least 6 months before enrollment. Ability to perform the eccentric exercise protocol. Written informed consent provided before participation.
Exclusion criteria
Current musculoskeletal injury or pain affecting exercise performance. History of cardiovascular, metabolic, neurological, renal, hepatic, or inflammatory disease. Pregnancy or breastfeeding. Current use of anti-inflammatory drugs, antioxidant supplements, or other nutritional supplements that could interfere with study outcomes. Known allergy or intolerance to curcumin, turmeric, ibuprofen, or study ingredients. Smoking or excessive alcohol consumption. Participation in another clinical trial during the study period. Any condition considered by the investigators to compromise participant safety or protocol compliance.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise-induced muscle damage | Baseline and during the 72-hour recovery period following eccentric exercise. | Exercise-induced muscle damage assessed using clinical outcomes and biochemical biomarkers following eccentric exercise to compare the effects of oral curcumin supplementation, ibuprofen, and placebo in physically active women. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Creatine kinase (CK) | Baseline and during the 48-hour recovery period following eccentric exercise. | Changes in serum creatine kinase concentration as a biomarker of exercise-induced skeletal muscle damage following eccentric exercise. |
| Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) | Baseline and during the 48-hour recovery period following eccentric exercise. | Changes in serum lactate dehydrogenase concentration as an indicator of muscle membrane disruption and tissue damage. |
| Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) | Baseline and during the 48-hour recovery period following eccentric exercise. | Changes in serum aspartate aminotransferase concentration as an indirect biomarker of exercise-induced muscle tissue damage. |
| Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) | Baseline and during the 48-hour recovery period following eccentric exercise. | Changes in serum alanine aminotransferase concentration following eccentric exercise. |
| Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) | Baseline and during the 48-hour recovery period following eccentric exercise. | Changes in serum alkaline phosphatase concentration following eccentric exercise. |
| Interleukin-6 (IL-6) | Baseline and during the 48-hour recovery period following eccentric exercise. | Changes in circulating interleukin-6 concentration as a biomarker of the inflammatory response to exercise-induced muscle damage. |
| C-reactive protein (CRP) | Baseline and during the 48-hour recovery period following eccentric exercise. | Changes in serum C-reactive protein concentration as a marker of systemic inflammation following eccentric exercise. |
| Malondialdehyde (MDA) | Baseline and during the 48-hour recovery period following eccentric exercise. | Changes in plasma malondialdehyde concentration as a biomarker of lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress. |
| Superoxide dismutase (SOD) | Baseline and during the 48-hour recovery period following eccentric exercise. | Changes in superoxide dismutase activity as an indicator of endogenous antioxidant defense. |
| Catalase (CAT) | Baseline and during the 48-hour recovery period following eccentric exercise. | Changes in catalase activity as a marker of antioxidant defense following eccentric exercise. |
| Delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) | Baseline and during the 48-hour recovery period following eccentric exercise. | Changes in perceived muscle soreness assessed using a validated visual analogue scale following eccentric exercise. |
| Countermovement jump (CMJ) | Baseline and during the 48-hour recovery period following eccentric exercise. | Changes in countermovement jump performance as a measure of lower-limb neuromuscular function and exercise recovery. |
| Thigh circumference | Baseline and during the 48-hour recovery period following eccentric exercise. | Changes in thigh circumference as an indirect indicator of exercise-induced muscle swelling. |
Countries
Spain
Outcome results
None listed