title: Preventive effects of 10-day supplementation with saffron and indomethacin on the delayed-onset muscle soreness.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) often occurs after unaccustomed eccentric exercise and reduces exercise performance. We aimed to study the preventive effects of saffron and indomethacin on the biochemical and functional indicators of DOMS after 1-session eccentric exercise.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 10-day, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, pretest-posttest design.
  
  
  METHODS
  Controlled research laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-nine nonactive male university students randomly divided into saffron (n = 12), indomethacin (n = 12), and control (n = 15) groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  Saffron group received 1 capsule containing dried saffron powder (n = 12, 300 mg/d), indomethacin group received 75 mg indomethacin (n = 12, 25 mg thrice a day), and control group (n = 15) received placebo capsules, 1 week before and 3 days after eccentric exercise. Ten days before and 24, 48, and 72 hours after muscle soreness protocol, the maximum isometric and isotonic forces, plasma creatine kinase (CK), plasma lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), perceived pain, knee range of movement, and thigh circumference were measured. Muscle soreness protocol was performed with a weight load equal to 80% of the maximum isotonic force in 4 sessions with 20 repetitions and 3-minute rest in between.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study shows that 10-day supplementation with 300 mg saffron significantly decreased the CK and LDH concentrations (P < 0.0001). In the saffron group, there was no decline in maximum isometric and isotonic forces after eccentric exercise, but a significant decline in the isometric force was observed in the control group (P < 0.0001). No pain was reported in the saffron group, whereas the indomethacin group experienced pain before 72 hours (P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results obtained from the current novel research indicate a strong preventive effect of 10-day supplementation with saffron on the DOMS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The saffron can be used to prevent DOMS and alleviate the DOMS symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran.
authors.forename: Abbas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Meamarbashi
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rajabi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000378:metabolism; D027622:Crocus; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015444:Exercise; D006801:Humans; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength; D063806:Myalgia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D055070:Resistance Training; D013848:Thigh; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; D003402:Creatine Kinase; D007213:Indomethacin