The effect of caffeine supplementation on serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and creatine kinase after exhausted aerobic exercise in active overweight university students

Some activities, such as exhaustive exercises, can lead to increased inflammatory indices, muscle injury, and enzymes in the blood. Caffeine supplementation diminishes inflammation and pain. The present study aimed at evaluating the effect of caffeine supplementation on serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-crp) and creatine kinase (CK) after exhaustive aerobic exercise in the active overweight university students.
In this quasi-experimental study, 22 overweight male students of Shahid Chamran University in Ahvaz were randomly divided into two groups of supplement (n=12) and placebo (n=10). The supplement group consumed 2 g of caffeine powder a daily for two weeks. The exercise protocol included two Strand exhaustive exercise sessions (one session before and one session after two weeks of supplementation). To evaluate the inter-group variations, dependent t-test was performed, and single-factor analysis of covariance was run for inter-group comparisons.
Exhaustive aerobic exercise increased the levels of hs-CRP and CK after the exercise. It was also found that taking caffeine supplementation for two weeks following one session of exhaustive aerobic exercise had no significant effect on the levels of hs-CRP (P=0.11) and CK (P=0.29).
Exhaustive exercise for aerobic exams increases the level of inflammation and muscle damage. The daily consumption of caffeine supplements can diminish the inflammation and muscle injury caused by physical exercise.