The Effect of α-Lipoic Acid (ALA) Supplementation on Selected Markers of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) After one Session Intensive Eccentric Exercise

  The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of eight day α-Lipoic Acid (ALA) supplementation before intensive eccentric exercise on some selected markers of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS).
Method & Materials: Ten healthy young males voluntarily participated in a double-blind randomized- controlled crossover trial to estimate the effects of 8day ALA oral supplementation (600mg/day) (A group) versus placebo (600mg/day glucose) (P group) following an unaccustomed heavy eccentric exercise. Measurements were made at baseline, 8days after supplementation, immediately, 24, 48, and 72 hours after exercise comprising: (a) TAC (b) CK (c) limb pain (1–10 cm visual analogue scale; VAS), (d) edema of both thighs, and (e) ROM of both knees. TAC increased 8days after supplementation in A group compared with P group (p0.05). Limb pain was significantly more in P group than A group, 24, 48, and 72 hours after exercise (p The finding of this study suggests that 8day supplementation of ALA before intensive eccentric exercise may attenuate pain, muscle damage and inflammation via antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of ALA