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 or a placebo following their training sessions.
The selected dose of CPH was based on previous research indicating its antioxidant and immunomodulatory 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 experimental (EXP) and placebo (PLA) 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 PLA group. Similarly, CRP levels decreased in the EXP group and increased in the PLA group.
While creatine kinase (CK) showed a favorable trend in the EXP group, the between-group comparison did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.062). Myoglobin levels also followed a similar downward trend in the EXP 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 might have limited observable changes in body composition.
Despite these limitations, the observed biomarker responses suggest that CPH supplementation may positively influence certain physiological processes associated with exercise-induced inflammation and cellular stress. The authors concluded that 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.
However, the authors cautioned that these findings should be interpreted as short-term biochemical responses due to the absence of direct assessments of recovery or performance. They emphasized the need for further studies to determine the physiological relevance of these biomarker 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 outcomes, as these were not directly assessed.
Evidence scorecard
- Analytic validity: established
- Clinical validity: established
- Clinical utility: partial