The Effect of Curcumin Acute Supplementation on Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC), and Selected Markers of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) after a Bout of Intensive Eccentric Exercise

Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS), is the main cause of muscle damage, dysfunction, and muscle strength reduction in athletes and non-athletes. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of 150mg curcumin supplementation just after intensive eccentric exercise on selected markers of DOMS.
Ten healthy young men were recruited to participate in this cross over study. Participants were randomized in a double-blind placebo-controlled fashion in two placebo (P), and curcumin (C) groups. After first blood sampling, subjects did an intensive squat exercise. Immediately after exercise, second blood sampling was conducted and afterward, subjects took 150 mg curcumin or placebo. Twenty-four, 48, and 72h after exercise sampling were performed again. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), visual analogue scale (VAS), range of motion of knee joints (ROM), and thigh swelling (Thigh circumference) were measured at all time series.
TAC remained significantly higher in C group compared with P group, 24 and 48h after exercise (P0.05).
According to the results of current study, it seems150mg curcumin managed to reduce muscle damage and pain owing to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.