The Effect of length of curcumin supplementation on antioxidant capacity of adolescent taekwondo players

This study designed to investigate the influence of length of curcumin supplementation on antioxidant capacity of adolescent taekwondo players at ephemeral taekwondo tournament. For this purpose, 30 adolescent taekwondo players (age: 15.13±2.96 yrs, height: 173.17±7.29 cm and weight: 59.82±10.83 kg) were assigned randomly to three groups: middle term group, n=10), short term group, n=10) and Placebo, n=10). Middle term group received curcumin 48 hrs before tournament until tournament opens start and short term group received curcumin (totally 140 and 70 mg respectively) between competitions (10 minute competitions, 3 times with 1-hour interval). Placebo group received placebo during 48 hrs before and between competitions. One hour following last competition, blood samples were collected and used for determination of antioxidant enzymes including GPX and CAT enzymes activity and MDA level. ANOWA results showed that GPX activity (U/mg pro) in Middle term group was increased significantly (P=0.0001); Whereas, CAT activity (U/mg pro) were not significant differences (P=0.098). Also, there was no significant differences in MDA level (Nmol/ml) between all 3 groups (P=0.437) but, it was insignificantly lower in mid-term in compare to short-term and lower in this both groups in compare with placebo. These findings suggested that curcumin consumption 48 hrs before short term competitions may be affects antioxidant enzymes concentration and promotes antioxidant capacity of adolescent athletes during heavy competitions. This strategy can accelerate recovery from repeated stresses during ephemeral tournament.