This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition explored the effects of a chickpea protein hydrolysate (CPH) on biomarkers associated with exercise-induced muscle damage and inflammation in federated male road cyclists.
The study involved 24 participants who completed a 14-day intervention, receiving either 12 g/day of chickpea protein hydrolysate (EXP) or a placebo (PLA) following their training sessions. The selected dosage was informed by previous research highlighting the antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties of the hydrolysate.
Throughout the study, nutritional intake and training loads were meticulously recorded to ensure controlled experimental conditions. Body composition and biochemical markers of muscle damage and inflammation were assessed before and after the intervention.
Results indicated no significant differences in body composition, training load, or dietary intake between the two groups. However, between-group analyses of change scores revealed significant differences in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH; p = 0.04) and C-reactive protein (CRP; p = 0.02), favoring the experimental group. Specifically, LDH levels decreased in the EXP group while they increased slightly in the placebo group. Similarly, CRP levels decreased in the EXP group and increased in the PLA group.
Although creatine kinase (CK) showed a favorable trend in the EXP group, the between-group comparison did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.062). Myoglobin also exhibited a downward trend in the experimental group.
It is important to note that the high baseline protein intake (greater than 2 g/kg/day) among participants and the relatively short duration of the intervention may have limited observable changes in body composition. Nevertheless, the biomarker responses suggest that CPH supplementation may influence certain physiological processes linked to exercise-induced inflammation and cellular stress.
In conclusion, while the study found that 14 days of CPH supplementation did not alter body composition in trained cyclists with high habitual protein intakes, it was associated with favorable changes in selected biomarkers related to exercise-induced inflammation and cellular stress compared to the placebo group. However, given the short intervention period and the absence of direct assessments of recovery or performance, these findings should be interpreted as short-term biochemical responses. Further research is warranted to determine the physiological relevance of these changes and whether they translate into meaningful improvements in recovery, training adaptation, or athletic performance.
What this study does not show
This study does not demonstrate any direct effects on athletic performance or recovery outcomes from chickpea protein hydrolysate supplementation.
Evidence scorecard
- Analytic validity: established
- Clinical validity: established
- Clinical utility: partial