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NCT Number: NCT07586839

Effect of a Nutritional Supplement on Muscle Recovery

The aim is to develop a food supplement drink that supports muscle health by combining specific fatty acids, which can positively affect metabolic and inflammation processes that are important for muscle health.

Recruiting

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Key information

Conditions

Healthy

Age range

18 year–35 year

Sex eligibility

Male

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Wageningen University and Research

Wageningen, Gelderland, 6708WD, Netherlands

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Human and Animal Physiology

CONTACT

[email protected]

+31317484136

About this study

This study will assess the effects of a vegan nutritional formulation containing caprylic acid and omega-3 fatty acids on recovery from muscle-damaging exercise. The goal is to determine whether this supplement can mitigate muscle damage, reduce inflammation, and accelerate functional recovery, thereby supporting long-term muscle health and functional independence. This research has the potential to reveal a novel approach to muscle health management, contributing to the development of safe and effective nutritional strategies that support healthy aging.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Young (≥18 and ≤35 years)
  • Male sex
  • Non-obese (≥18.5 and ≤27.5 kg/m2)
  • Recreationally active (performing non-competitive exercise at least one time a week for minimally 30 minutes)

Exclusion criteria

  • Smoking
  • Participation in structural exercise with a major eccentric component (e.g. soccer, basketball, trail running, etc…)
  • Chronic use of any prescribed over the counter pharmaceuticals
  • Any history of medical or surgical events that may effect the study outcomes
  • Following a specific diet (e.g. weight loss, ketogenic, vegan)
  • Taking protein supplements

Treatment and study plan

Control drink

Dietary Supplement

Seven day supplementation with a muscle damaging exercise performed on day four

Vegan supplement containing caprylic acid and omega-3 fatty acids

Dietary Supplement

Seven day supplementation with a muscle damaging exercise performed on day four

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in isometric muscle strength of the vastus lateralis muscle on a muscle dynamometer before and 72h after damaging exercise

    Time frame: The change in muscle strength will be measured at time points 0 hours (before exercise), and post exercise, and at 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours post exercise.

    The main study endpoint is the change in skeletal muscle function recovery from a single bout of damaging eccentric exercise between an emulsion containing caprylic acid and omega 3 fatty acids, compared to a control emulsion, from before exercise (t=0) to 72 hours post-exercise. Skeletal muscle function will be measured as maximal voluntary isometric muscle strength of the vastus lateralis muscle on a muscle dynamometer. The maximal voluntary strength is expressed as maximal voluntary contraction (Newtons).

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in muscle fatigue from before until 72 hours after damaging exercise measured with electrical stimulation on a muscle dynamometer

    Time frame: The change in fatigue resistance will be measured at time points 0 hours (before exercise), and post exercise, and at 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours post exercise.

    The change in muscle fatigue recovery from a single bout of damaging eccentric exercise between an emulsion containing caprylic acid and omega 3 fatty acids compared to a control emulsion will be examined by means of a two-minute fatigue inducing protocol on a skeletal muscle dynamometer. Every other second during two minutes, electrically induced muscle contractions will be evoked on the vastus lateralis muscle at 40% of the maximal voluntary muscle strength. The percental decline in muscle force (N) generating capacity will be monitored as indicator of fatigue resistance.

  2. Change in muscle soreness from before until up to 72 hours after a damaging exercise using a VAS-Scale and soreness questionnaire

    Time frame: The change in muscle soreness will be measured at time points 0 hours (before exercise), and post exercise, and at 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours post exercise.

    The change in muscle soreness from a single bout of eccentric exercise between an emulsion containing caprylic acid and omega 3 fatty acids, compared to a control emulsion will be measured by means of a VAS-Scale, measuring current muscle soreness, as well as a retrospective pain questionnaire, measuring muscle soreness over the preceding 24 hours.

  3. Plasma creatine kinase concentrations before and up to 72 hours after damaging exercise in blood

    Time frame: The change in plasma creatine kinase will be measured at time points 0 hours (before exercise), and post exercise, and at 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours post exercise.

    The change in creatine kinase concentrations from a single bout of eccentric exercise between an emulsion containing caprylic acid and omega 3 fatty acids, compared to a control emulsion, will be measured using commercially available kits.

  4. Plasma cholesterol concentrations before and up to 72 hours after damaging exercise in blood

    Time frame: The change in plasma cholesterol concentrations will be measured at time points 0 hours (before exercise), and post exercise, and at 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours post exercise.

    The change in plasma cholesterol concentrations from a single bout of eccentric exercise between an emulsion containing caprylic acid and omega 3 fatty acids, compared to a control emulsion, will be measured using commercially available kits

  5. Plasma triglyceride concentrations before and up to 72 hours after damaging exercise in blood

    Time frame: The change in plasma triglycerides will be measured at time points 0 hours (before exercise), and post exercise, and at 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours post exercise.

    The change in plasma triglyceride concentrations from a single bout of eccentric exercise between an emulsion containing caprylic acid and omega 3 fatty acids, compared to a control emulsion, will be measured using commercially available kits.

  6. Plasma beta-hydroxybutyrate concentrations before and up to 72 hours after damaging exercise in blood

    Time frame: The change in plasma beta-hydroxybutyrate will be measured at time points 0 hours (before exercise), and post exercise, and at 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours post exercise.

    The change in plasma beta-hydroxybutyrate concentrations from a single bout of eccentric exercise between an emulsion containing caprylic acid and omega 3 fatty acids, compared to a control emulsion, will be measured using commercially available kits.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Silvie Timmers, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

+31 317-484 136

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Wageningen University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Role of a Nutritional Formulation Containing Caprylic Acid and Omega 3 Fatty Acids in Promoting Skeletal Muscle Function Recovery to Damaging Exercise in Healthy, Young Volunteers

Acronym: RECOVER

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
May 14, 2026
Registry last updated
May 14, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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