Spirulina Supplementation In Recovery From Damaging Exercise (SPIRAL)

University of Exeter

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Damage Muscle

Treatments: Dietary Supplement: Spirulina supplement; Procedure: Eccentric exercise; Dietary Supplement: Placebo supplement

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06391957

4530276

Details and patient eligibility

About

Exercise can cause muscle damage, leading to a loss in muscle function, increased muscle soreness and inflammation. Evidence supports the use of nutritional strategies to help recovery. Spirulina is a type of algae. It is eaten as a food supplement as it is full of micronutrients, some which provide anti-inflammatory benefits. This work will assess the impact of taking spirulina supplements on recovery from hard exercise. Investigators will measure changes in muscle function, soreness and markers of inflammation.

Enrollment: 30 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 40 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Are available and willing to attend St Luke's Campus, Exeter
• Age 18 - 40
• BMI 18.5 - 30 kg/m2
• The participant exercises / plays sport for > 2 h/week, but doesn't do structured resistance strength training
• Self-reported as healthy (absence of injury or disease)
• Have no known food allergy to algae
• Are not taking any over the counter or prescribed medication that might interfere with study, e.g. anti-inflammatory medication
• Non-smoker

Exclusion criteria

• Are unable to attend St Luke's Campus, Exeter
• Are out-with age range 18 - 40
• BMI below 18.5 or above 30 kg/m2
• The participant does not exercise
• The participant does regular structured resistance strength training
• Known injury or disease that might influence study outcomes
• Have a known food allergy to algae
• Are taking over the counter or prescribed medication that might interfere with study, e.g. anti-inflammatory medication
• Smoker

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Triple Blind

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30 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

Spirulina supplement

Experimental group

Description:

3g of spirulina supplement three times daily for 5 days.

Treatment:

Procedure: Eccentric exercise

Dietary Supplement: Spirulina supplement

Placebo supplement

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

macronutrient matched placebo supplement three times daily for 5 days.

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Placebo supplement

Procedure: Eccentric exercise