Ginger Supplementation Attenuates Muscle Pain and Dysfunction Following Eccentric Exercise

Abstract

Ginger supplementation has known hypoalgesic and anti-inflammatory effects in rodents, but its effect on inflammation and pain in humans is not well characterized. PURPOSE: The purpose of this experiment was to determine whether 11 days of ginger supplementation would attenuate arm muscle pain, inflammation, and/or dysfunction induced by high intensity eccentric exercise. METHODS: Thirty-four participants were block randomized (n=17 in each condition) to consume 2 grams of either ground ginger or placebo for 11 consecutive days. On Day 8 participants performed 18 eccentric actions of the non-dominant elbow flexors at an intensity of 120% of their concentric one-repetition maximum. Immediately prior to and for 3 days after eccentric exercise, muscle pain intensity, perceived effort, arm range-of-motion (ROM), isometric strength (MVIC), arm volume and plasma prostaglandin E2 were assessed. The ginger and placebo groups were compared on the days when peak responses occurred for the primary outcome measures in the placebo group. RESULTS: Peak pain ratings were 25% lower in the ginger group (9.3 VAS units, a Cohen's d effect size = -0.77 SD; p = 0.04). Ginger also attenuated the peak decline in ROM by 35% (a 4.6° difference, d = 0.67 SD; p = 0.04). Smaller effect size changes in arm volume (d = -0.39), plasma PGE2 (d = -0.42), and MVIC (d = 0.29) favored the ginger group but did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that ginger supplementation attenuates peak muscle pain and the decline in ROM caused by intense eccentric exercise. Supported by the McCormick Science Institute