This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition examined the effects of a chickpea protein hydrolysate (CPH) on biomarkers associated with exercise-induced muscle damage and inflammation in federated male road cyclists.
Study Overview
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 dose was based on previous studies that demonstrated the antioxidant and immunomodulatory bioactive properties of the hydrolysate. Throughout the study, nutritional intake and training loads were registered, ensuring controlled experimental conditions.
Body composition and biochemical markers of muscle damage and inflammation were assessed before and after the intervention.
Results
The 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 for 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 slightly increasing in the placebo group. Similarly, CRP levels decreased in the EXP group and increased in the PLA group.
While creatine kinase (CK) showed a favorable pattern in the EXP group, the between-group comparison did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.062). Myoglobin levels also followed a downward trend in the experimental group.
Interpretation of Findings
Despite the high baseline protein intake (>2 g/kg/day) among participants and the short intervention duration, the observed biomarker responses suggest that CPH supplementation may influence selected physiological processes associated with exercise-induced inflammation and cellular stress. However, the study concluded that 14 days of CPH supplementation did not alter body composition but was associated with favorable changes in biomarkers related to exercise-induced inflammation and cellular stress compared to placebo.
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 studies are required 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 that chickpea protein hydrolysate leads to improved athletic performance or recovery, as it did not directly assess these outcomes.
Evidence scorecard
- Analytic validity: established
- Clinical validity: established
- Clinical utility: partial
The evidence class is human_rct, indicating a randomized controlled trial with relevant findings.