Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness, Exercise-induced Muscle Damage, Muscle Recovery
Conditions
Keywords
DOMS, ANTIOXIDANT SUPPLEMENTATION, ECCENTRIC EXERCISE, TRAINED WOMEN, MUSCLE RECOVERY, RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL
Brief summary
This randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial investigated the effects of combined antioxidant and anti-inflammatory supplementation on delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) recovery in trained women. Sixty trained women (18-35 years) were randomized into four groups: G1 (Creatine + Omega-3), G2 (Creatine + Omega-3 + NAC), G3 (Creatine + Omega-3 + NAC + CoQ10), and G4 (Placebo). Outcomes included muscle pain pressure threshold, countermovement jump, handgrip strength, 30-meter sprint, bilateral dynamometry, infrared thermography, creatine kinase, and heart rate variability, assessed before and after an eccentric exercise protocol.
Detailed description
Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is a common physiological response to eccentric exercise, characterized by muscle pain, reduced force production, and impaired neuromuscular function. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds such as creatine, omega-3 fatty acids, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) have been proposed as potential modulators of exercise-induced muscle damage. This study used a 4-arm parallel RCT design with participant and assessor blinding. Participants underwent a standardized eccentric exercise protocol to induce DOMS, followed by 72 hours of monitoring. Measurements were taken at baseline (T1), post-exercise (T2), 24h (T3), 48h (T4), and 72h (T5) post-exercise. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was performed with baseline values and age as covariates.
Interventions
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTCreatine Monohydrate
Creatine monohydrate administered at 5 g/day for 4 weeks. Used in G1, G2, and G3 arms
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTOmega 3 FA (Fish Oil)
Administered as 2 capsules/day (456 mg EPA + 225 mg DHA per capsule; EPA:DHA ratio 2:1) for 4 weeks. Included in G1, G2, and G3 arms.
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTN-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC)
Administered at 600 mg/day for 4 weeks. Included in G2 and G3 arms.
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTCoenzyme Q10 100 MG Oral Capsule
Administered at 100 mg/day for 4 weeks. Included in G3 arm only.
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTPlacebo
Maltodextrin (5 g/day) and olive oil capsules (2 capsules/day), visually identical to active arms. Administered for 4 weeks in G4 arm.
Sponsors
Antonio Molina Lopez
NUTRIFARMA
Unifarco SpA
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to 35 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Female sex * Age 18-35 years * Trained status (regular resistance or sport training) * Enrolled at Universidad Europea de Madrid * Absence of musculoskeletal injury at time of recruitment * No use of anti-inflammatory drugs or nutritional supplements in the 4 weeks prior to the study
Exclusion criteria
* History of chronic musculoskeletal or cardiovascular disease * Use of anti-inflammatory medication or antioxidant supplementation in the prior 4 weeks * Pregnancy or breastfeeding * Inability to complete the eccentric exercise protocol * Non-compliance with supplementation or dietary control requirements
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Countermovement Jump Height (CMJ) | Baseline (Day 0), immediately post-exercise (Day 2), 24 hours after exercise (Day 3), 48 hours after exercise (Day 4), and 72 hours post-eccentric exercise (Day 5) | Assessed using My Jump Lab app (240 fps). Jump height in centimeters as indicator of lower limb neuromuscular performance recovery |
| Muscle Pain Pressure Threshold | Baseline (Day 0), immediately post-exercise (Day 2), 24 hours after exercise (Day 3), 48 hours after exercise (Day 4), and 72 hours post-eccentric exercise (Day 5) | Assessed using a pressure algometer (BASELINE). Measures the minimum pressure at which the participant perceives pain, expressed in kg/cm² |
| 30- Meter Sprint Time | Baseline (Day 0), immediately post-exercise (Day 2), 24 hours after exercise (Day 3), 48 hours after exercise (Day 4), and 72 hours post-eccentric exercise (Day 5) | Assessed using Witty photocell system (Microgate). Time in seconds to complete a 30-meter sprint. |
| Creatine Kinase (CK) | Baseline (Day 0), immediately post-exercise (Day 2), 24 hours after exercise (Day 3), 48 hours after exercise (Day 4), and 72 hours post-eccentric exercise (Day 5) | ssessed using SimplexTAS 101 analyzer. Serum CK activity in U/L as a biochemical marker of muscle damage. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| RIGHT LEG DYNAMOMENTRY | Baseline (Day 0), immediately post-exercise (Day 2), 24 hours after exercise (Day 3), 48 hours after exercise (Day 4), and 72 hours post-eccentric exercise (Day 5) | Assessed using Activforce 2 dynamometer. Maximum isometric knee extension force in kg. |
| LEFT LEG DYNAMOMETRY | Baseline (Day 0), immediately post-exercise (Day 2), 24 hours after exercise (Day 3), 48 hours after exercise (Day 4), and 72 hours post-eccentric exercise (Day 5) | Assessed using Activforce 2 dynamometer. Maximum isometric knee extension force in kg. |
| Thermography | Baseline (Day 0), immediately post-exercise (Day 2), 24 hours after exercise (Day 3), 48 hours after exercise (Day 4), and 72 hours post-eccentric exercise (Day 5) | Assessed using FLIR T2 A315 thermographic camera. Skin temperature of the quadriceps region in degrees Celsius as marker of local inflammation. |
| Heart Rate Variability | Baseline (Day 0), immediately post-exercise (Day 2), 24 hours after exercise (Day 3), 48 hours after exercise (Day 4), and 72 hours post-eccentric exercise (Day 5) | Assessed using Polar Team Pro chest straps. 5-minute supine recording with eyes closed and deep breathing. Root mean square of successive differences in ms as autonomic recovery indicator. |
Countries
Spain
Outcome results
None listed