This study, published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, explores the effects of chickpea protein hydrolysate (CPH) on exercise-induced biomarkers of muscle damage and inflammation in federated male road cyclists. Conducted as a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, the research involved 24 participants who underwent a 14-day intervention.
The participants were divided into two groups: one received 12 g/day of chickpea protein hydrolysate (EXP), while the other received a placebo (PLA) following their training sessions. The dosage was determined based on previous studies that highlighted 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) and C-reactive protein (CRP). Specifically, LDH decreased in the EXP group (p = 0.04), while it increased slightly in the placebo group. Similarly, CRP decreased in the EXP group (p = 0.02) and increased in the PLA group.
While creatine kinase (CK) showed a favorable trend in the EXP group, the difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.062). Myoglobin also exhibited a downward trend in the experimental group.
The researchers noted that the high baseline protein intake (greater than 2 g/kg/day) among participants and the short duration of the intervention may have limited observable changes in body composition. Nevertheless, the biomarker responses suggest that CPH supplementation may positively influence physiological processes related to exercise-induced inflammation and cellular stress.
In conclusion, while 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. The authors caution that these findings should be interpreted as short-term biochemical responses, and further studies are necessary to ascertain their physiological relevance and potential impact on recovery, training adaptation, or athletic performance.
What this study does not show
This study does not demonstrate that chickpea protein hydrolysate leads to improved recovery or athletic performance, as these outcomes were not directly assessed.
Evidence scorecard
- Analytic validity: Established
- Clinical validity: Established
- Clinical utility: Partial