Effect of Chickpea Protein Hydrolysate Supplementation on Muscle Damage and Inflammatory Plasma Markers During a Football Tournament: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Trial

Instituto de la Grasa51 enrolled

Overview

This randomized, placebo-controlled crossover study evaluated the safety and potential beneficial effects of a beverage containing chickpea protein hydrolysate in football players. Participants received the chickpea protein hydrolysate beverage and a matched protein-containing placebo beverage during two four-week intervention periods separated by a two-week washout period. The study assessed biochemical safety parameters, antioxidant status, inflammatory biomarkers, lipid profile, lipid peroxidation, muscle damage markers, dietary intake, and body composition.

The study was designed as a randomized, placebo-controlled crossover nutritional intervention conducted in football players during the competitive season. Participants were randomly allocated to one of two intervention sequences, with allocation balanced according to playing position. During the first four-week intervention period, one sequence received the experimental beverage containing chickpea protein hydrolysate, whereas the other sequence received a matched placebo beverage. This was followed by a two-week washout period. During the second four-week intervention period, the treatments were crossed over so that each participant received the alternative beverage. A further two-week washout period was included after the second intervention. On training days, the experimental beverage was consumed 2-4 hours before training at a dose providing 0.2 g protein/kg body weight and approximately 30 minutes after training at a dose providing 0.3 g protein/kg body weight. The placebo beverage followed the same administration schedule and was designed to have a similar appearance and taste and the same protein content, but from a different protein source. Blood sampling, dietary assessment, and anthropometric measurements were scheduled at baseline and during the intervention and washout periods. The study evaluated biochemical markers related to protein and hepatic metabolism, hematological parameters, glucose and insulin, antioxidant status, inflammatory biomarkers, lipid profile, lipid peroxidation, muscle damage markers, adverse events, dietary intake, and body composition.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

OTHER

Interventions

Chickpea Protein Hydrolysate BeverageDIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

A powdered beverage containing chickpea protein hydrolysate was reconstituted in water before consumption. On training days, participants consumed a dose providing 0.2 g protein/kg body weight 2-4 hours before training and 0.3 g protein/kg body weight approximately 30 minutes after training. The intervention was administered for four weeks during the corresponding study period.

Maltodextrin Placebo BeverageDIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

A maltodextrin-containing placebo beverage designed to resemble the chickpea protein hydrolysate beverage in appearance and taste. The placebo was administered according to the same timing schedule as the experimental beverage for four weeks during the corresponding study period.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 16 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Football player belonging to one of the participating professional, semiprofessional, or amateur football teams. * Regular participation in the team's training sessions and matches. * Considered healthy based on medical history, biochemical assessment, body composition, lifestyle assessment, and dietary evaluation. * Ability and willingness to comply with the study procedures and beverage consumption schedule. * Provision of written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Presence of chronic disease, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, or metabolic syndrome. * Overweight, renal impairment, or hepatic impairment. * Abnormal biochemical test results considered clinically relevant by the research team. * Known allergy to chickpea. * Use of medication or nutritional supplements during the four weeks preceding enrollment. * Current smoking. * Participation in another similar study during the previous three months. * Completion of less than 75% of the scheduled training sessions or matches during the study. * Failure to consume 100% of the assigned study beverage. * Any circumstance that, in the opinion of the research team, could impair participation or compliance with the study procedures.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Number of Participants With Adverse Events During Each Intervention Period

The number of participants reporting one or more adverse events during consumption of the chickpea protein hydrolysate beverage or the maltodextrin placebo beverage was recorded. Adverse events included any unfavorable symptom or clinical event reported by a participant or identified by the research team during the intervention periods.

Time frame: During the first 4-week intervention period and the second 4-week intervention period, up to Week 10

Change in Circulating Interleukin-6 Concentration

Interleukin-6 concentration was measured using a commercial immunoassay.

Time frame: Baseline and Weeks 4, 6, 10, and 12; the primary crossover comparison used the phase-specific changes from Weeks 0 to 4 and Weeks 6 to 10.

Change in Circulating Interleukin-8 Concentration

Interleukin-8 concentration was measured using a commercial immunoassay.

Time frame: Baseline and Weeks 4, 6, 10, and 12; the primary crossover comparison used the phase-specific changes from Weeks 0 to 4 and Weeks 6 to 10.

Change in C-Reactive Protein Concentration

CRP concentration was measured using a commercial immunoassay.

Time frame: Baseline and Weeks 4, 6, 10, and 12; the primary crossover comparison used the phase-specific changes from Weeks 0 to 4 and Weeks 6 to 10.

Change in Creatine Kinase Activity

Kinase activity was measured in fasting blood samples. For the crossover comparison, the change during each intervention phase was calculated as the value at the end of the 4-week phase minus the corresponding phase-specific baseline value. Changes during the chickpea protein hydrolysate and maltodextrin placebo phases were compared within participants.