Ten Days of Curcumin Supplementation Attenuates Subjective Soreness and Maintains Muscular Power Following Plyometric Exercise.

UNLABELLED

Curcumin has become a popular product used to decrease inflammation and enhance recovery from exercise.

PURPOSE

To determine the effects of curcumin supplementation on delayed onset muscle soreness and muscle power following plyometric exercise.

METHODS

Participants ( = 22; five females, 17 males) consumed either curcumin (500 mg) or placebo twice daily for 10 days (6 days pre, day of and 3 days post exercise). Participants completed 5 x 20 drop jumps on day 7. Blood sampling and recovery tests were assessed at pre-supplementation, 24-hours and immediately pre-exercise, and immediately post-, 24, 48 and 72-hours post-exercise. Blood markers included serum creatine kinase (CK) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), while soreness was measured during a squat and post vertical jump.

RESULTS

Both groups experienced muscle damage post-exercise with elevated CK (403 ± 390 ul;  < 0.01), soreness with squatting (38 ± 29 mm;  < 0.01), and vertical jump (36 ± 30 mm;  < 0.01). Soreness was greater in placebo vs. curcumin 48 h and 72 h post-exercise ( < 0.01); however, CK was not significantly different between groups ( = 0.28) despite being >200 IU· greater 24 hr post exercise in placebo vs. curcumin. ESR was significantly greater immediately post-exercise (6.3 ± 5.6 vs. 3.4 ± 2.6 mm/hr;  = 0.03), however these were within the normal range for this test and not significantly different between groups ( = 0.25). Vertical jump decreased over time in the placebo, but not curcumin group (19.8 ± 4.8 vs. 21.4 ± 3.2 in;  = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

These data suggest curcumin reduces soreness and maintains muscular power following plyometric exercise.