title: Effect of an herbal/botanical supplement on recovery from delayed onset muscle soreness: a randomized placebo-controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We examined the effects of a proprietary herbal/botanical supplement (StemSport, Stemtech, San Clemente, CA.) suggested to increase circulating stem cells, decrease inflammation, and attenuate exercise induced muscle damage on recovery from delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen subjects (male = 7, female = 9; age 23.8 ± 10 years; height 171.9 ± 10 cm, mass 72.2 ± 15 kg) were randomized in a crossover, double-blind, placebo controlled trial to receive a placebo or StemSport supplement (6150 mg/day) for 14 days. DOMS was induced on day 7 for both placebo and active conditions in the non-dominant elbow flexor group with repeated eccentric repetitions. Muscle swelling (biceps girth), elbow flexor isometric strength (hand held dynamometer), muscle pain/tenderness (visual analog scale), range of motion (active elbow flexion and extension), and inflammation (hsCRP, IL6, and TNF-α) were measured at baseline and at 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, and 168 h (1 week) post eccentric exercise. The crossover washout period was ≥14 days.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant condition-by-time interactions between placebo and StemSport supplementation were observed with regard to measures of pain (p = 0.59), tenderness (p = 0.71), isometric strength (p = 0.32), elbow flexion (p = 0.45), muscle swelling (p = 0.90), or inflammation (p > 0.90). Decrements in elbow extension range of motion 48 h post-exercise were less after StemSport supplementation (Δ elbow extension 48 h post; StemSport, -2.0 deg; placebo, -10 deg; p = 0.003).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data suggest that compared to placebo, StemSport supplementation does not improve outcome measures related to muscle recovery after acute upper-arm induced DOMS.
authors: Department of Human Movement Sciences, Human Performance Laboratory, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA.
authors: Corey A
authors: CA
authors: Rynders
authors: Department of Kinesiology Exercise Physiology Core Laboratory, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.
authors: Judy Y
authors: JY
authors: Weltman
authors: Jordan Young Institute, Virginia Beach, VA, USA.
authors: Sara D
authors: SD
authors: Rynders
authors: Department of Kinesiology Exercise Physiology Core Laboratory, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.
authors: James
authors: J
authors: Patrie
authors: Department of Kinesiology Exercise Physiology Core Laboratory, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.
authors: John
authors: J
authors: McKnight
authors: Department of Kinesiology Exercise Physiology Core Laboratory, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.
authors: Frank I
authors: FI
authors: Katch
authors: Department of Kinesiology Exercise Physiology Core Laboratory, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.
authors: Jay
authors: J
authors: Hertel
authors: Department of Kinesiology Exercise Physiology Core Laboratory, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.
authors: Arthur
authors: A
authors: Weltman
keywords: Blue-green algae; DOMS; Eccentric exercise