An interventional study of Curcumin and Ibuprofen in Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage, Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) and Sports Recovery, sponsored by University of Valladolid. Completed at 1 site in Spain. Open to female participants aged 18 Years to 30 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-23.
Sponsored by University of Valladolid · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
xercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) is a common consequence of unaccustomed or high-intensity exercise and is characterized by muscle soreness, impaired physical performance, inflammation, oxidative stress, and increased circulating biomarkers of muscle damage. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, are frequently used to alleviate these symptoms, although their repeated use may be associated with adverse effects. Curcumin, a natural polyphenol with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, has emerged as a potential nutritional strategy to support post-exercise recovery.
This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial aims to compare the effects of oral curcumin supplementation and ibuprofen administration on exercise-induced muscle damage in physically active women. The study evaluates clinical outcomes, physical performance, biomarkers of muscle damage, inflammation, oxidative stress, and other health-related biomarkers to determine whether curcumin may represent a safe and effective nutritional alternative for promoting recovery after eccentric exercise.
Exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) following eccentric exercise is characterized by structural disruption of skeletal muscle fibers accompanied by transient inflammation, oxidative stress, delayed-onset muscle soreness, and impaired physical performance. Although these responses are considered part of the normal adaptive process, excessive muscle damage may delay recovery and impair subsequent training or competition.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used by athletes to reduce post-exercise pain and inflammation. However, repeated NSAID use has been associated with gastrointestinal, renal, and cardiovascular adverse effects, highlighting the need for safe nutritional alternatives capable of supporting recovery without interfering with physiological adaptation.
Curcumin, the principal bioactive polyphenol derived from Curcuma longa, exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective properties through modulation of multiple molecular pathways involved in redox homeostasis and inflammatory signaling. Experimental and clinical studies suggest that curcumin may attenuate exercise-induced muscle damage by reducing oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and muscle soreness, although evidence remains inconsistent and direct comparisons with NSAIDs are scarce.
The objective of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial is to compare the efficacy of oral curcumin supplementation with ibuprofen and placebo in physically active women following eccentric exercise. The study evaluates clinical recovery, physical performance, biomarkers of muscle damage, inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers, and additional health-related biomarkers in order to characterize the physiological effects of curcumin supplementation and determine its potential role as a nutritional strategy for exercise recovery.
Healthy physically active women. Age within the predefined study range. Regular participation in physical activity for at least 6 months before enrollment.
Ability to perform the eccentric exercise protocol. Written informed consent provided before participation.
Exclusion Criteria:
Current musculoskeletal injury or pain affecting exercise performance. History of cardiovascular, metabolic, neurological, renal, hepatic, or inflammatory disease.
Pregnancy or breastfeeding. Current use of anti-inflammatory drugs, antioxidant supplements, or other nutritional supplements that could interfere with study outcomes.
Known allergy or intolerance to curcumin, turmeric, ibuprofen, or study ingredients.
Smoking or excessive alcohol consumption. Participation in another clinical trial during the study period. Any condition considered by the investigators to compromise participant safety or protocol compliance.
Participants received oral curcumin supplementation according to the study protocol before and following the eccentric exercise protocol. Clinical recovery, physical performance, muscle damage, inflammatory, oxidative stress, antioxidant defense, and other health-related biomarkers were evaluated during the recovery period.
Dietary Supplement: Curcumin
articipants received oral ibuprofen according to the study protocol before and following the eccentric exercise protocol. Clinical recovery, physical performance, muscle damage, inflammatory, oxidative stress, antioxidant defense, and other health-related biomarkers were evaluated during the recovery period.
Drug: Ibuprofen
Participants received placebo capsules identical in appearance to the active interventions according to the study protocol before and following the eccentric exercise protocol. Clinical recovery, physical performance, muscle damage, inflammatory, oxidative stress, antioxidant defense, and other health-related biomarkers were evaluated during the recovery period.
Other: Placebo
Participants received oral curcumin supplementation according to the study protocol before and after the eccentric exercise protocol. Curcumin was administered at the predefined dose and duration specified in the protocol. The intervention aimed to evaluate its effects on exercise-induced muscle damage, inflammation, oxidative stress, antioxidant defense, physical performance, and recovery in physically active women.
Also known as: Curcuma longa
Participants received oral ibuprofen according to the study protocol before and after the eccentric exercise protocol. Ibuprofen was administered at the predefined dose and duration specified in the protocol and served as the active comparator for evaluating recovery following exercise-induced muscle damage.
Participants received placebo capsules identical in appearance, packaging, and administration schedule to the active interventions. The placebo contained inert ingredients and was administered according to the study protocol before and after the eccentric exercise protocol.
Exercise-induced muscle damage
Exercise-induced muscle damage assessed using clinical outcomes and biochemical biomarkers following eccentric exercise to compare the effects of oral curcumin supplementation, ibuprofen, and placebo in physically active women.
Time frame: Baseline and during the 72-hour recovery period following eccentric exercise.
Creatine kinase (CK)
Changes in serum creatine kinase concentration as a biomarker of exercise-induced skeletal muscle damage following eccentric exercise.
Time frame: Baseline and during the 48-hour recovery period following eccentric exercise.
Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)
Changes in serum lactate dehydrogenase concentration as an indicator of muscle membrane disruption and tissue damage.
Time frame: Baseline and during the 48-hour recovery period following eccentric exercise.
Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
Changes in serum aspartate aminotransferase concentration as an indirect biomarker of exercise-induced muscle tissue damage.
Time frame: Baseline and during the 48-hour recovery period following eccentric exercise.
Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
Changes in serum alanine aminotransferase concentration following eccentric exercise.
Time frame: Baseline and during the 48-hour recovery period following eccentric exercise.
Alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
Changes in serum alkaline phosphatase concentration following eccentric exercise.
Time frame: Baseline and during the 48-hour recovery period following eccentric exercise.
Interleukin-6 (IL-6)
Changes in circulating interleukin-6 concentration as a biomarker of the inflammatory response to exercise-induced muscle damage.
Time frame: Baseline and during the 48-hour recovery period following eccentric exercise.
C-reactive protein (CRP)
Changes in serum C-reactive protein concentration as a marker of systemic inflammation following eccentric exercise.
Time frame: Baseline and during the 48-hour recovery period following eccentric exercise.
Malondialdehyde (MDA)
Changes in plasma malondialdehyde concentration as a biomarker of lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress.
Time frame: Baseline and during the 48-hour recovery period following eccentric exercise.
Superoxide dismutase (SOD)
Changes in superoxide dismutase activity as an indicator of endogenous antioxidant defense.
Time frame: Baseline and during the 48-hour recovery period following eccentric exercise.
Catalase (CAT)
Changes in catalase activity as a marker of antioxidant defense following eccentric exercise.
Time frame: Baseline and during the 48-hour recovery period following eccentric exercise.
Delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS)
Changes in perceived muscle soreness assessed using a validated visual analogue scale following eccentric exercise.
Time frame: Baseline and during the 48-hour recovery period following eccentric exercise.
Countermovement jump (CMJ)
Changes in countermovement jump performance as a measure of lower-limb neuromuscular function and exercise recovery.
Time frame: Baseline and during the 48-hour recovery period following eccentric exercise.
Thigh circumference
Changes in thigh circumference as an indirect indicator of exercise-induced muscle swelling.
Time frame: Baseline and during the 48-hour recovery period following eccentric exercise.
Plan to share: Yes — ndividual participant data that underlie the results reported in publications arising from this study (after de-identification) will be made available upon reasonable request to the corresponding investigator. Data will be shared with researchers who provide a methodologically sound proposal and whose proposed use of the data has been approved by the study investigators and complies with applicable ethical and institutional regulations.
Supporting information: Study protocol
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
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University of Valladolid