Selected root plant supplementation reduces indices of exercise-induced muscle damage: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Systematic review and meta-analysis of 25 parallel and crossover trials
PubMed 33196371 · doi:10.1024/0300-9831/a000689
What was done
A systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effects of root plant supplementation (curcumin, ginseng, ginger, and garlic) on biomarkers of muscle damage and functional muscular performance after muscle-damaging exercise protocols. Authors analyzed 25 parallel and crossover studies comprising 353 participants, assessed study quality using the PEDro scale, and meta-analyzed standardized mean differences (SMD) at 24 and 48 hours post-exercise.
What was found
Supplementation significantly reduced indirect muscle damage markers (creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and myoglobin) and muscle soreness compared to placebo at both 24 hours and 48 hours (p < 0.01 for both time points). Inflammatory markers were significantly lower with supplementation at 24 hours (p = 0.02), but not at 48 hours (p = 0.40). Muscular performance measures did not differ significantly between groups at 24 or 48 hours (p > 0.05). Qualitative synthesis of oxidative stress and antioxidant markers showed mixed findings.
Why it matters
These findings suggest that while root extracts reduce circulating damage markers and soreness after strenuous exercise, they do not accelerate functional muscular recovery.
Limits
The total sample size was small across 25 studies (353 total participants). The review pooled disparate botanical interventions (curcumin, ginseng, ginger, garlic) with varying dosages and exercise protocols. The abstract reports p-values but lacks effect size estimates and confidence intervals.
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