Curcumin supplementation likely attenuates delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS)

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Nutritional Biochemistry
• Sports Medicine

Background:

• Oral curcumin has demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects and promoted muscle regeneration in preclinical studies.
• Inflammatory responses and muscle damage are key factors in exercise-induced muscle soreness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of oral curcumin supplementation on muscle damage, inflammation, and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) in human subjects.
• To assess curcumin's impact on muscle performance recovery after strenuous eccentric exercise.

Main Methods:

• A double-blind, randomized-controlled crossover trial involving 17 men.
• Participants received either oral curcumin (5 g/day) or placebo for 2 days before and 3 days after eccentric single-leg press exercise, with a 14-day washout period.
• Measurements included pain (VAS), swelling, single-leg jump height, and serum markers of muscle damage and inflammation.

Main Results:

• Curcumin supplementation led to moderate-to-large reductions in pain associated with DOMS at 24 and 48 hours post-exercise.
• A small increase in single-leg jump performance was observed with curcumin use.
• Curcumin showed mixed effects on interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentrations, decreasing it at 24 hours but increasing it at 0 and 48 hours post-exercise.

Conclusions:

• Oral curcumin appears effective in reducing pain associated with DOMS in humans.
• Evidence suggests potential for enhanced muscle performance recovery with curcumin supplementation.
• Further investigation into the mechanisms and practical applications of curcumin for athletic and vocational performance is warranted.