The effect of curcumin supplementation on recovery following exercise‐induced muscle damage and delayed‐onset muscle soreness: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background curcumin consumption may have a protective effect against exercise‐induced muscle damage (EIMD) through stabilization of the cell membrane via inhibition of free radical formation. Evidence supporting a protective role of curcumin after physical activity induced muscle injury in humans, however, it is inconsistent. Methods Medline, Scopus, and Google scholar were systematically searched up to May 2020. The Cochrane Collaboration tool for assessing the risk of bias was used for assessing the quality of studies. Random effects model, weighted mean difference (WMD), and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used for estimating the overall effect. Between‐study heterogeneity was assessed using the chi‐squared and I 2 statistic. Results The results revealed a significant effect of curcumin supplementation on reducing creatine kinase (CK) (weighted mean difference [WMD] = −48.54 IU.L −1 ; 95% CI: −80.667, −16.420; p = .003) and muscle soreness index decrease (WMD = −0.476; 95% CI: −0.750, −0.202; p = .001). Moreover, a subgroup analysis resulted in a significant decrease in CK concentrations and muscle soreness index, according to follow‐ups after exercise, dose of curcumin, duration of studies, exercise type, train status and study design. Conclusions The current evidence revealed a efficacy of curcumin in reducing CK serum levels and muscle soreness index among adults. Therefore, curcumin may be known as a priority EIMD recovery agent in interventions.