Evaluation of Rhodiola rosea supplementation on skeletal muscle damage and inflammation in runners following a competitive marathon.
Adaptogens modulate intracellular signaling and increase expression of heat shock protein 72 (HSP72). Rhodiola rosea (RR) is a medicinal plant with demonstrated adaptogenic properties. The purpose of this study was to measure the influence of RR supplementation on exercise-induced muscle damage, delayed onset of muscle soreness (DOMS), plasma cytokines, and extracellular HSP72 (eHSP72) in experienced runners completing a marathon. Experienced marathon runners were randomized to RR (n=24, 6 female, 18 male) or placebo (n=24, 7 female, 17 male) groups and under double-blinded conditions ingested 600mg/day RR extract or placebo for 30days prior to, the day of, and seven days post-marathon. Blood samples were collected, and vertical jump and DOMS assessed the day before, 15min post- and 1.5h post-marathon. DOMS was also assessed for seven days post-marathon. Marathon race performance did not differ between RR and placebo groups (3.87±0.12h and 3.93±0.12h, respectively, p=0.722). Vertical jump decreased post-marathon (time effect, p<0.001) with no difference between groups (interaction effect, p=0.673). Post-marathon DOMS increased significantly (p<0.001) but the pattern of change did not differ between groups (p=0.700). Myoglobin (Mb), creatine phosphokinase (CPK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), C-reactive protein (CRP), and eHSP72 all increased post-marathon (all p<0.001), with no group differences over time (all p>0.300). In conclusion, RR supplementation (600mg/day) for 30days before running a marathon did not attenuate the post-marathon decrease in muscle function, or increases in muscle damage, DOMS, eHSP72, or plasma cytokines in experienced runners.
Human Performance Laboratory, Appalachian State University, North Carolina Research Campus, Kannapolis, NC, USA; Appalachian State University, College of Health Sciences, Boone, NC, USA. Electronic address: shanelyra@appstate.edu.
R Andrew
RA
Shanely
Human Performance Laboratory, Appalachian State University, North Carolina Research Campus, Kannapolis, NC, USA; Appalachian State University, College of Health Sciences, Boone, NC, USA.
David C
DC
Nieman
Appalachian State University, College of Health Sciences, Boone, NC, USA.
Kevin A
KA
Zwetsloot
Human Performance Laboratory, Appalachian State University, North Carolina Research Campus, Kannapolis, NC, USA; Appalachian State University, College of Health Sciences, Boone, NC, USA.
Amy M
AM
Knab
Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Kio University, Nara, Japan.
Hidetaka
H
Imagita
Key Laboratory of Exercise and Health Sciences of Ministry of Education, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China.
Beibei
B
Luo
PL Thomas & Co., Inc., Morristown, NJ, USA.
Barbara
B
Davis
PoliNat SL, Las Palmas, Spain.
José M
JM
Zubeldia
D000328:Adult; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D050884:HSP72 Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000293:injuries*; D063806:Myalgia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009211:Myoglobin / Q000097:blood; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use; D029771:Rhodiola; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology
D050884:HSP72 Heat-Shock Proteins; D009211:Myoglobin; D010936:Plant Extracts; D003402:Creatine Kinase
Adaptogen; Cytokine; Heat shock protein 72; Skeletal muscle damage