Short-term Effects of Broccoli-derived Glucoraphanin on Recovery From Eccentric Muscle Damage

NCT07373106 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: MNLKIN(M)-2024-574
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 17
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

Eccentric exercise induces muscle damage and delay functional recovery. Broccoli-derived glucoraphanin (a sulforaphane precursor that activates Nrf2 defenses) may aid repair; however, its short-term effects in humans remains unknown. This study aims to evaluate whether short-term supplementation with broccoli-derived glucoraphanin will improve recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover design, fifteen participants will consume either high-glucoraphanin broccoli powder (320 μg) or placebo for one week, followed by elbow flexor eccentric exercise and continued supplementation. Strength, soreness, creatine kinase (CK), range of motion (ROM), arm girths, and ultrasound-assessed muscle and tendon morphology will be measured at baseline, immediately post-exercise, and at 48 and 96 hours post-exercise.

Conditions

Healthy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Peak torque, Nm/s

  Exercise induced damage marker, isokinetic and isometric knee extension

  At baseline, immediately post-exercise, and at 48 hours, and at 96 hours post-exercise.

• Range of motion, degree

  Exercise induced damage marker, elbow extension and flexion

  At baseline, immediately post-exercise, and at 48 hours, and at 96 hours post-exercise.

• Arm girth, mm

  Exercise induced muscle damage marker, arm relaxed and fully flexed

  At baseline, immediately post-exercise, and at 48 hours, and at 96 hours post-exercise.

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Soreness, points

  At baseline, immediately post-exercise, and at 48 hours, and at 96 hours post-exercise.

• Creatine kinase, IU/L

  At baseline, immediately post-exercise, and at 48 hours, and at 96 hours post-exercise.

Study Arms (1)

male volunteers aged 18-35 years

EXPERIMENTAL

Dietary Supplement: broccoli powder consumption; Dietary Supplement: Placebo (no broccoli-derived bioactives)

Interventions

broccoli powder consumption DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Participants underwent two separate sessions of muscle-damaging exercise targeting the elbow flexors: (1) following seven days of broccoli powder consumption (condition X), and (2) following an equivalent placebo regimen (condition Y). The broccoli supplementation consisted of 10 g of broccoli powder \[a freeze-dried glucoraphanin-rich broccoli powder (99.5% broccoli and 0.5% mustard seed)\] dissolved in 125 mL of boiling water, providing 320 μg of glucoraphanin per serving. It was consumed when still hot/warm once daily for seven days before and for four days following the eccentric exercise protocol. The placebo powder, matched in appearance and preparation, contained no broccoli-derived bioactives.

male volunteers aged 18-35 years

Placebo (no broccoli-derived bioactives) DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

The placebo powder, matched in appearance and preparation, contained no broccoli-derived bioactives.

male volunteers aged 18-35 years

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 35 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• no resistance training experience in the past 6 months, no arm injuries in the past 2 years, no illnesses in the month prior to data collection, and no known allergies to broccoli or other cruciferous vegetables.

You may not qualify if:

• incomplete participation.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Lithuanian Sports University: lead

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 15, 2025
• First Posted: January 28, 2026
• Study Start: February 15, 2026
• Primary Completion: March 15, 2026
• Study Completion: March 31, 2026
• Last Updated: January 28, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01