This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigated the effects of a chickpea protein hydrolysate (CPH) on biomarkers associated with exercise-induced muscle damage and inflammation in federated male road cyclists. Conducted by García-Durán et al., the study involved twenty-four participants who completed a 14-day intervention, receiving either 12 g/day of CPH or a placebo following their training sessions.
The selected dose of CPH was based on previous studies that demonstrated its antioxidant and immunomodulatory bioactive properties. Throughout the study, nutritional intake and training loads were monitored 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 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 CPH group while they increased slightly in the placebo group. Similarly, CRP levels decreased in the CPH group and increased in the placebo group.
Although creatine kinase (CK) showed a favorable trend in the CPH group, the between-group comparison did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.062). Myoglobin levels also followed a similar downward trend. The authors noted that the high baseline protein intake (greater than 2 g/kg/day) and the short duration of the intervention may have limited observable changes in body composition.
Despite the lack of significant changes in body composition, the observed biomarker responses suggest that CPH supplementation may positively influence selected physiological processes associated with exercise-induced inflammation and cellular stress. However, the authors caution that these findings should be interpreted as short-term biochemical responses due to the brief intervention period and the absence of direct assessments of recovery or performance.
Further studies are warranted to determine the physiological relevance of these findings and whether the changes in biomarkers 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 recovery or enhanced athletic performance in trained cyclists.
Evidence scorecard
- Analytic validity: established
- Clinical validity: established
- Clinical utility: partial