5-week Lactobacillus casei probiotic to reduce post-exercise muscle soreness
Effects of a 5-Week Probiotic Supplementation Intervention on Markers of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness
This tests whether taking a Lactobacillus casei probiotic for five weeks can reduce delayed onset muscle soreness in healthy, active young adults.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 24 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 30 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Minnesota Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Minneapolis, Minnesota) |
| Trial ID | NCT07219498 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Healthy, physically active young adults will take either a Lactobacillus casei probiotic or a placebo capsule for five weeks and complete an exercise protocol that induces muscle damage. Researchers will compare perceived muscle soreness, pressure pain threshold, and power output after the exercise to see if the probiotic group recovers faster or reports less soreness. Participants must be free of injuries and major medical conditions and able to abstain from consistent NSAID use and other probiotics during the study. The intervention is administered at a single center with in-person testing before and after the exercise-induced muscle damage protocol.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are healthy young adults who do at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity exercise and have no injuries or health conditions that limit activity.
Not a fit: People with cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic diseases, current musculoskeletal injuries, or those regularly taking probiotics, antibiotics, NSAIDs, or steroids are excluded and unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide a safe, non-drug option to reduce DOMS and speed recovery for active individuals.
How similar studies have performed: Some small, strain-specific studies have suggested certain probiotics can reduce inflammation and perceived soreness, but results are mixed and this Lactobacillus casei approach remains relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * complete a minimum of 150 minutes a week of at least moderate intensity exercise in either an endurance-based or resistance-based training style based on a self-reported physical activity over the past month * good general health with no injuries or health conditions that would affect physical activity * willing to abstain from consistent NSAID use and other probiotic supplements over the course of this study Exclusion Criteria: * known musculoskeletal injuries or physical limitations that could interfere with performing the designated physical activity required * underlying conditions that could place them at an increased risk during exercise such as cardiovascular, respiratory, or metabolic diseases * currently take a probiotic supplement, are prescribed and taking an antibiotic during the intervention, or report using NSAIDs or steroids within the recovery time window * report using an NSAID more than twice a week on a regular basis
Where this trial is running
Minneapolis, Minnesota
- University of Minnesota — Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Mary Stenson — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Jakob Fischer
- Email: fisc0887@d.umn.edu
- Phone: 507-236-8051
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.