Effect of a Nutritional Supplement on Muscle Recovery

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.

• 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

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

• Change in muscle fatigue from before until 72 hours after damaging exercise measured with electrical stimulation on a muscle dynamometer [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.
• Change in muscle soreness from before until up to 72 hours after a damaging exercise using a VAS-Scale and soreness questionnaire [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.
• Plasma creatine kinase concentrations before and up to 72 hours after damaging exercise in blood [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.
• Plasma cholesterol concentrations before and up to 72 hours after damaging exercise in blood [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
• Plasma triglyceride concentrations before and up to 72 hours after damaging exercise in blood [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.
• Plasma beta-hydroxybutyrate concentrations before and up to 72 hours after damaging exercise in blood [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.

Sex: Male, ages: 18 Years to 35 Years, accepts healthy volunteers

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