A study of recreational runners found supplementing with Lactobacillus Plantarum was found to improve oxidative stress, renal damage and muscle damage caused by running a Half Marathon.
8 recreational runners (4 women and 4 men) between the ages of 23 and 30 participated in this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, counterbalanced crossover study. Participants supplemented 3 capsules of Lactobacillus Plantarum or 2 capsules of a placebo for this 4 week trial. After the Half Marathon was run, an exercise capacity test and a blood test were performed. A 3 month washout period was then conducted after which time the two groups switched and the placebo group was given the Lactobacillus Plantarum and the Probiotic supplement group was given the placebo. Participants ran a 2nd Half Marathon and an exercise capacity test and blood test were again performed.
Muscle damage which could be caused by EIMD (exercise induced muscle damage) could last for about 96 hours. So, in order to observe the return to play period with both treatments, an exercise capacity test and a blood sample were performed at baseline, 48 hours before the Half Marathon (pre), right before the Half Marathon (0 h post), 3 hours after the Half Marathon (3 h post), 24 hours after the Half Marathon (24 h post), 48 hours after the Half Marathon (48 h post), 72 hours after the Half Marathon (78 h post), and 96 hours after the Half Marathon (96 h post).
The exercise capacity assessment included aerobic capacity, lower extremity explosive force, anaerobic power, and lower extremity muscle strength. The blood samples were used to analyze renal injury, oxidative stress, muscle damage and muscle fatigue biomarkers.
There were no significant differences in actual Half Marathon performances between the 2 groups; however, recovery of exercise capacity after the run was significantly greater in the Probiotic group when compared to the placebo group at all post run stages (3 h, 24h, 48h, 72h and 96 h).
Countermovement jump height did not change in the Probiotic group but was significantly reduced after the marathon in the placebo group and lasted for 24 hours. The maximum muscle strength and the explosive power measures did not significantly decrease in the Probiotic group. After the Half Marathon the Probiotic group had higher Superoxide dismutase (enzymes that provide cellular defense against reactive oxygen species), lower muscle damage measures and their blood urea nitrogen recovered in as little as 24 hours.
Lactobacillus Plantarum has been known to provide many health benefits like decreases in inflammatory symptoms, oxidative stress and muscle damage. Additionally Lactobacillus Plantarum has been known to provide anti-inflammatory and immune system regulatory benefits.
Due to the small sample size of this study, a major limiting factor in this study, further studies are called for.
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