The Effect of Cinnamon Extract on Recovery and Performance of Weightlifting Athletes

Abstract

Weightlifting is a type of sport that demands beneficial complementary supplements. This is because of the highly intensive training and tight schedules, which requires the body to be maintained at the prime condition to avoid injury. Furthermore, supplements and natural products are needed to accelerate athletes' recovery and avoid doping. Cinnamon is a good natural product that contains phenol and cinnamaldehyde antioxidant content. This study used a double-blind one-way crossover design approach on 16 male athletes with the lowest experience competing in Southeast Asia. The athletes consumed 500 mg of cinnamon extract for 8 weeks and entered a 4 and 8 week washout phase and placebo, respectively. The performance tests were conducted by match simulations, such as snatch and clean and jerk. Creatine kinase (CK), C-reactive protein (CRP), and lactate were tested to determine fatigue levels and accelerate recovery. According to the results, significant changes occurred for CK and CRP of p<0.005, glucose p<0.048, and lactate at p<0.012 with no effects on performance. Conclusion: Cinnamon extract significantly affects CK, CRP, lactate, and glucose without any notable effects on performance.