The effects of chondroitin sulfate supplementation on indices of muscle damage induced by eccentric arm exercise.
OBJECTIVE
Delayed onset of muscle soreness (DOMS) often results from unaccustomed exercise or exercise that involves heavy eccentric loading of skeletal muscle. Chondroitin sulfate (CS) has been reported to possess anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties and has been used widely in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Based on these findings, the investigators sought to determine whether CS supplementation might reduce DOMS symptoms associated with eccentric arm exercise.


METHODS
Sixteen non-resistance-trained males participated in a double-blind protocol. Subjects consumed 3,600 mg x day-1 of encapsulated CS or placebo for 14 days preceding the exercise protocol and during 48 hours of follow-up measurements. Subjects performed a maximum of 50 eccentric contractions of the elbow flexors against a resistance that was 120% of the concentric one-repetition maximum.


RESULTS
Significant time effects were present for soreness, relaxed elbow extension (joint angle), and creatine kinase; all measures were significantly altered 48 hours after the exercise session. No effects were present for complement system fragment C3a and prostaglandin E2. No significant treatment or interaction effects were detected for any of the variables.


CONCLUSIONS
CS supplementation was not found to be effective in the prevention of DOMS, nor did it influence biochemical indices of inflammation and muscle damage following heavy eccentric loading of the arm flexors.
Braun
W A
WA
Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA 91768, USA. wabraun@csupomona.edu
Flynn
M G
MG
Armstrong
W J
WJ
Jacks
D D
DD
D000328:Adult; D001132:Arm / Q000502:physiology*; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*; D018763:Muscle Fatigue / Q000187:drug effects*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000293:injuries; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011292:Premedication; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates; D003402:Creatine Kinase