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Curcumin supplementation likely attenuates delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS)

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European Journal of Applied Physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction

Oral curcumin decreases inflammatory cytokines and increases muscle regeneration in mice.

Purpose

To determine effects of curcumin on muscle damage, inflammation and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) in humans.

Method

Seventeen men completed a double-blind randomized-controlled crossover trial to estimate the effects of oral curcumin supplementation (2.5 g twice daily) versus placebo on single-leg jump performance and DOMS following unaccustomed heavy eccentric exercise. Curcumin or placebo was taken 2 d before to 3 d after eccentric single-leg press exercise, separated by 14-d washout. Measurements were made at baseline, and 0, 24 and 48-h post-exercise comprising: (a) limb pain (1–10 cm visual analogue scale; VAS), (b) muscle swelling, (c) single-leg jump height, and (d) serum markers of muscle damage and inflammation. Standardized magnitude-based inference was used to define outcomes.

Results

At 24 and 48-h post-exercise, curcumin caused moderate-large reductions in pain during single-leg squat (VAS scale −1.4 to −1.7; 90 %CL: ±1.0), gluteal stretch (−1.0 to −1.9; ±0.9), squat jump (−1.5 to −1.1; ± 1.2) and small reductions in creatine kinase activity (−22–29 %; ±21–22 %). Associated with the pain reduction was a small increase in single-leg jump performance (15 %; 90 %CL ± 12 %). Curcumin increased interleukin-6 concentrations at 0-h (31 %; ±29 %) and 48-h (32 %; ±29 %) relative to baseline, but decreased IL-6 at 24-h relative to post-exercise (−20 %; ±18 %).

Conclusions

Oral curcumin likely reduces pain associated with DOMS with some evidence for enhanced recovery of muscle performance. Further study is required on mechanisms and translational effects on sport or vocational performance.

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Abbreviations

AP-1:

Activator protein 1

AIS:

Australian Institute of Sport

CK:

Creatine kinase

COX-2:

Cyclooxygenase 2

DOMS:

Delayed onset muscle soreness

DNA:

Deoxyribonucleic acid

NF kappa B:

Nuclear factor kappa beta

IL-6:

Interleukin 6

1RM:

One repetition maximum

TNF-alpha:

Tumour necrosis factor alpha

VAS:

Visual analogue scale

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Acknowledgments

Dr Greg Lovell, Bev Andersen, Jill Flanagan, Dr Chris Rumball, Dr Kieran Fallon, and all staff at AIS Sports Medicine Department. Funding from the Australian Institute of Sport. Dr Lesley Nicol is a board member of Drug Free Sport New Zealand. Other authors have no disclosures.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. SportsMed Canterbury, 156 Bealey Avenue, Christchurch, New Zealand

    Lesley M. Nicol

  2. School of Sport and Exercise, Massey University, 63 Wallace St, Wellington, New Zealand

    David S. Rowlands

  3. Department of Sports Medicine, Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra, Australia

    Ruth Fazakerly

  4. 62 Springfield Drive, Hawker, ACT, Australia

    John Kellett

Authors
  1. Lesley M. Nicol
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  2. David S. Rowlands
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  3. Ruth Fazakerly
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  4. John Kellett
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to David S. Rowlands.

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Communicated by Michael Lindinger.

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Nicol, L.M., Rowlands, D.S., Fazakerly, R. et al. Curcumin supplementation likely attenuates delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Eur J Appl Physiol 115, 1769–1777 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-015-3152-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-015-3152-6

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