The effect of curcumin supplementation on functional strength outcomes and markers of exercise-induced muscle damage: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Curcumin is a polyphenol derived from the L (turmeric) plant and has gained attention through its perceived anti-inflammatory characteristics. The potential interaction with exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) has led to investigation of curcumin as a post-exercise strategy that may have the potential to lessen acute reductions in functional strength (FS) following physical activity. The purpose of this review is to assess the evidence examining curcumin in relation to four outcome measures: FS, EIMD, DOMS and inflammation. A Medline, SPORTDiscus and CINAHL database search was undertaken with no publication date limit. Sixteen papers met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Three meta-analyses were completed for EIMD, DOMS and inflammation, respectively, with FS being excluded due to limited research. Effect sizes were as follows: EIMD (0.15, -0.12, -0.04, -0.2 and -0.61 corresponding to 0, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h post-exercise, respectively), DOMS (-0.64, -0.33, 0.06, -0.53 and -1.16 corresponding to 0, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h post-exercise, respectively) and inflammation (-0.10, 0.26, 0.15 and 0.26 corresponding to 0, 24, 48 and 72 h post-exercise, respectively). A 96 h post-exercise inflammation meta-analysis was not conducted due to limited data. No effect sizes were statistically significant for EIMD ( = 0.644, 0.739, 0.893, 0.601 and 0.134), DOMS ( = 0.054, 0.092, 0.908, 0.119 and 0.074) and inflammation ( = 0.729, 0.603, 0.611 and 0.396). Further research is needed to thoroughly examine whether an effect exists.