Effects of Ginger on Muscle Soreness and Dysfunction Stemming From Downhill Running

The objective of the study is to determine whether five days of ginger (Zingiber officinale) supplementation is effective at reducing muscle soreness and improving muscle function following downhill running. Long-distance running is often associated with acute muscle pain, swelling, and reduced muscle functioning, and consequently, many runners utilize non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID). NSAID use is associated with gastrointestinal side-effects such as stomach discomfort, nausea, dyspepsia, asymptomatic ulcers, and symptomatic ulcers that, although rare, can be fatal. Ginger is a botanical compound that is Generally Recognized as Safe by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Evidence from osteoarthritis, dysmenorrhea, and resistance-training models indicate that ginger is effective at reducing general pain and muscle soreness. Therefore, this study will supplement 60 runners with roughly 1.5 g/day of ginger root or a placebo for 2 days prior to, the day of, and 2 days after downhill running. Participants will be evaluated for muscle soreness and function before and after the downhill run.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Muscle Soreness
• Intervention / Treatment: Dietary supplement: Ginger Root; Dietary supplement: Placebo

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 34
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Virginia
    • Norfolk, Virginia, United States, 23529
      • Human Performance Laboratory

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 65 years (ADULT, OLDER_ADULT)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Be currently running ≥10 miles per week
• Have completed at least one run >40 minutes over the past month

Exclusion Criteria:

• Have no allergies to ginger
• Willing to avoid pain-relieving medications for the duration of the study
• Have no history of bleeding disorders nor currently taking blood thinners

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: BASIC_SCIENCE
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Interventional Model: PARALLEL
• Masking: DOUBLE

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
PLACEBO_COMPARATOR: Placebo Capsule	Dietary supplement: Placebo; Capsules containing rice flour powder.
EXPERIMENTAL: Ginger Root Capsule	Dietary supplement: Ginger Root; Capsules containing 250 mg of ginger root extract standardized to contain at least 5% gingerol compounds, as well as an additional 225 mg of regular ginger root.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Muscle Soreness Change	Participants will be asked to mark a slash on a 100 mm line the muscle soreness of their lower extremities, with descriptors of "no soreness'' indicated at 0 and ''unbearably painful" at 100. Participants will rate overall lower-extremity soreness at rest, while performing a stand-to-sit movement, and while running at a moderate pace.	Two days before a 40-minute downhill run, the day of a 40-minute downhill run, 24 hours after a 40-minute downhill run and the two days after a 40-minute downhill run

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Pain Pressure Threshold Change	An algometer will be applied to the participant's quadriceps muscle. An algometer is a handheld device with an integral load cell that transduces the pressure applied to the participant. The investigator will apply force slowly and smoothly while the participant concentrates on when the force applied by the investigator transitions from a feeling of pressure to a feeling of pain. The force level applied when the participant begins to feel pain will be considered the pain pressure threshold. The location of the measurement will be 10 cm above the superior crest of the patella. The average of two measurements will be taken.	Two days before a 40-minute downhill run, the day of a 40-minute downhill run, and two days after a 40-minute downhill run
Vertical Jump Test Change	Participants will jump as high as possible using the squat jump technique. Participants will perform three trials.	Two days before a 40-minute downhill run, the day of a 40-minute downhill run, and two days after a 40-minute downhill run
1.5-mile Run Change	Participants will complete a maximal effort 1.5-mile run on a motorized treadmill.	Two days before a 40-minute downhill run and two days after a 40-minute downhill run
Lung Function Change	Participants' lung function will be tested before the 1.5-mile run and at 1, 5, 10, 15, and 20 minutes post-exercise. Lung function will be assessed with a spirometer by having participants perform a maximal forced expiration. Breathing difficulty will also be measured before and after the run with the Modified Borg Dyspnea Scale.	Two days before a 40-minute downhill run and two days after a 40-minute downhill run

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Old Dominion University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: January 1, 2017
• Primary Completion (ACTUAL): June 1, 2017
• Study Completion (ACTUAL): June 1, 2017

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 14, 2017
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 18, 2017
• First Posted (ESTIMATE): January 23, 2017

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (ACTUAL): December 20, 2017
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 18, 2017
• Last Verified: December 1, 2017

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Nervous System Diseases; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Muscular Diseases; Neuromuscular Diseases; Musculoskeletal Pain; Myalgia
• Other Study ID Numbers: 934537-3