Delayed-onset muscle injury and its modification by wheat gluten hydrolysate

We investigated the pattern of delayed-onset muscle injury in well-trained athletes after a competitive half-marathon and the effects of post-race intake of wheat gluten hydrolysate (WGH).

Thirty well-trained college runners with a best time of 14-15 min over 5000 m raced in a half-marathon. Thereafter, they were divided into three groups based on finish times and given 0 (control), 10, or 20 g of WGH. Blood biochemical parameters were monitored at -1 d, +1 h, +1 d, and +2 d after the race. Data selected according to finish times and biochemical parameters were then analyzed.

Plasma creatine kinase activity peaked at 1 d after the race in the control group and correlated with post-race white blood cell counts. The post-race elevation of creatine kinase activity was dose-dependently suppressed by WGH.

Delayed-onset muscle injury peaked in well-trained distance runners at 1 d after a half-marathon and was dose-dependently suppressed by a post-race intake of WGH.