Curcuma Longa Extract Reduces Muscle Soreness And Myoglobin Following A Half-marathon

Abstract

Strenuous exercise result in muscle damage. Oral curcumin appears to reduce pain associated with delayed onset muscle soreness and enhance recovery of muscle performance. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the chronic effect of curcuma intake after a half-marathon run on indirect markers of muscle damage. METHODS: Twenty-eight men completed a double-blind randomized-controlled trial. Curcuma Longa L. extract (SG - 1,5g/ day) or placebo (PG - microcrystalline cellulose) was taken twice daily (two capsules during the lunch and one capsule during the dinner) for 4 weeks, then three capsules immediately before the half marathon. Measurements were made at baseline (M0), 20 days after supplementation (M1), immediately before (Pre), after the half marathon (Post), two hours after the half marathon (2 h post), 24 hours after the half marathon (24 h post), and 48 hours after the half marathon (48 h post), comprising: CK, LDH, ALT, AST, myoglobin and muscle soreness. RESULTS: SG decreased muscle soreness in palpation of biceps femoris 48-h after half-marathon run (P < 0.05). No difference between groups was observed in ALT, AST, CK, LDH. Myoglobin concentrations were lower after 2 h post competition in SG when compared to PG (62.1 + 8.26 vs. 107.9 + 18.5 ng/mL; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Curcuma Longa extract reduces muscle soreness and myoglobin concentration after a half-marathon run. Supported by CNPq Grant 484023/2013-6.