Effect of a Nutritional Supplement on Muscle Recovery (RECOVER)

May 7, 2026 updated by: Marlou Dirks, Wageningen University

The Role of a Nutritional Formulation Containing Caprylic Acid and Omega 3 Fatty Acids in Promoting Skeletal Muscle Function Recovery to Damaging Exercise in Healthy, Young Volunteers

The aim is to develop a food supplement drink that supports muscle health by combining specific fatty acids, which can positively affect metabolic and inflammation processes that are important for muscle health.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

This study will assess the effects of a vegan nutritional formulation containing caprylic acid and omega-3 fatty acids on recovery from muscle-damaging exercise. The goal is to determine whether this supplement can mitigate muscle damage, reduce inflammation, and accelerate functional recovery, thereby supporting long-term muscle health and functional independence. This research has the potential to reveal a novel approach to muscle health management, contributing to the development of safe and effective nutritional strategies that support healthy aging.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
28

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Locations

  • Netherlands
    • Gelderland
      • Wageningen, Gelderland, Netherlands, 6708WD
        • Recruiting
        • Wageningen University and Research
        • Contact:

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Young (≥18 and ≤35 years)
  • Male sex
  • Non-obese (≥18.5 and ≤27.5 kg/m2)
  • Recreationally active (performing non-competitive exercise at least one time a week for minimally 30 minutes)

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Smoking
  • Participation in structural exercise with a major eccentric component (e.g. soccer, basketball, trail running, etc…)
  • Chronic use of any prescribed over the counter pharmaceuticals
  • Any history of medical or surgical events that may effect the study outcomes
  • Following a specific diet (e.g. weight loss, ketogenic, vegan)
  • Taking protein supplements

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Other
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Testdrink
Drink containing caprylic acid and omega-3 fatty acids
Dietary supplement: Vegan supplement containing caprylic acid and omega-3 fatty acids
Seven day supplementation with a muscle damaging exercise performed on day four
Placebo Comparator: Control drink
Control drink that differs in fatty acid composition
Dietary supplement: Control drink
Seven day supplementation with a muscle damaging exercise performed on day four

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in isometric muscle strength of the vastus lateralis muscle on a muscle dynamometer before and 72h after damaging exercise
Time Frame: The change in muscle strength will be measured at time points 0 hours (before exercise), and post exercise, and at 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours post exercise.
The main study endpoint is the change in skeletal muscle function recovery from a single bout of damaging eccentric exercise between an emulsion containing caprylic acid and omega 3 fatty acids, compared to a control emulsion, from before exercise (t=0) to 72 hours post-exercise. Skeletal muscle function will be measured as maximal voluntary isometric muscle strength of the vastus lateralis muscle on a muscle dynamometer. The maximal voluntary strength is expressed as maximal voluntary contraction (Newtons).
The change in muscle strength will be measured at time points 0 hours (before exercise), and post exercise, and at 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours post exercise.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in muscle fatigue from before until 72 hours after damaging exercise measured with electrical stimulation on a muscle dynamometer
Time Frame: The change in fatigue resistance will be measured at time points 0 hours (before exercise), and post exercise, and at 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours post exercise.
The change in muscle fatigue recovery from a single bout of damaging eccentric exercise between an emulsion containing caprylic acid and omega 3 fatty acids compared to a control emulsion will be examined by means of a two-minute fatigue inducing protocol on a skeletal muscle dynamometer. Every other second during two minutes, electrically induced muscle contractions will be evoked on the vastus lateralis muscle at 40% of the maximal voluntary muscle strength. The percental decline in muscle force (N) generating capacity will be monitored as indicator of fatigue resistance.
The change in fatigue resistance will be measured at time points 0 hours (before exercise), and post exercise, and at 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours post exercise.
Change in muscle soreness from before until up to 72 hours after a damaging exercise using a VAS-Scale and soreness questionnaire
Time Frame: The change in muscle soreness will be measured at time points 0 hours (before exercise), and post exercise, and at 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours post exercise.
The change in muscle soreness from a single bout of eccentric exercise between an emulsion containing caprylic acid and omega 3 fatty acids, compared to a control emulsion will be measured by means of a VAS-Scale, measuring current muscle soreness, as well as a retrospective pain questionnaire, measuring muscle soreness over the preceding 24 hours.
The change in muscle soreness will be measured at time points 0 hours (before exercise), and post exercise, and at 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours post exercise.
Plasma creatine kinase concentrations before and up to 72 hours after damaging exercise in blood
Time Frame: The change in plasma creatine kinase will be measured at time points 0 hours (before exercise), and post exercise, and at 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours post exercise.
The change in creatine kinase concentrations from a single bout of eccentric exercise between an emulsion containing caprylic acid and omega 3 fatty acids, compared to a control emulsion, will be measured using commercially available kits.
The change in plasma creatine kinase will be measured at time points 0 hours (before exercise), and post exercise, and at 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours post exercise.
Plasma cholesterol concentrations before and up to 72 hours after damaging exercise in blood
Time Frame: The change in plasma cholesterol concentrations will be measured at time points 0 hours (before exercise), and post exercise, and at 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours post exercise.
The change in plasma cholesterol concentrations from a single bout of eccentric exercise between an emulsion containing caprylic acid and omega 3 fatty acids, compared to a control emulsion, will be measured using commercially available kits
The change in plasma cholesterol concentrations will be measured at time points 0 hours (before exercise), and post exercise, and at 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours post exercise.
Plasma triglyceride concentrations before and up to 72 hours after damaging exercise in blood
Time Frame: The change in plasma triglycerides will be measured at time points 0 hours (before exercise), and post exercise, and at 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours post exercise.
The change in plasma triglyceride concentrations from a single bout of eccentric exercise between an emulsion containing caprylic acid and omega 3 fatty acids, compared to a control emulsion, will be measured using commercially available kits.
The change in plasma triglycerides will be measured at time points 0 hours (before exercise), and post exercise, and at 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours post exercise.
Plasma beta-hydroxybutyrate concentrations before and up to 72 hours after damaging exercise in blood
Time Frame: The change in plasma beta-hydroxybutyrate will be measured at time points 0 hours (before exercise), and post exercise, and at 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours post exercise.
The change in plasma beta-hydroxybutyrate concentrations from a single bout of eccentric exercise between an emulsion containing caprylic acid and omega 3 fatty acids, compared to a control emulsion, will be measured using commercially available kits.
The change in plasma beta-hydroxybutyrate will be measured at time points 0 hours (before exercise), and post exercise, and at 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours post exercise.

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Wageningen University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
September 26, 2025

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
June 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
September 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
February 21, 2025

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
May 7, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
May 14, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
May 14, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
May 7, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • NL88300.028.24

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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