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NCT Number: NCT07373106

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

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Healthy

Age range

18 year–35 year

Sex eligibility

Male

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • 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.

Exclusion criteria

  • incomplete participation.

Treatment and study plan

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.

Placebo (no broccoli-derived bioactives)

Dietary Supplement

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

Primary outcomes

  1. Peak torque, Nm/s

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

    Exercise induced damage marker, isokinetic and isometric knee extension

  2. Range of motion, degree

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

    Exercise induced damage marker, elbow extension and flexion

  3. Arm girth, mm

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

    Exercise induced muscle damage marker, arm relaxed and fully flexed

Secondary outcomes

  1. Soreness, points

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

    exercise induced damage marker, biceps brachii, 10-point visual analogue scale with 0 indicating no soreness and 10 indicating intolerably intense soreness.

  2. Creatine kinase, IU/L

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

    Exercise induced muscle damage marker in venous blood

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Lithuanian Sports University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

SHORT-TERM EFFECTS OF BROCCOLI-DERIVED GLUCORAPHANIN ON RECOVERY FROM ECCENTRIC MUSCLE DAMAGE: A DOUBLE-BLIND RANDOMIZED CROSSOVER STUDY

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jan 28, 2026
Registry last updated
Jan 28, 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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