Effects of Acute Carbohydrate-Protein Co-Ingestion on Muscle Damage Markers, Recovery Kinetics, and Repeated-Sprint Capacity in Elite Iraqi Handball Players: A Randomised Double-Blind Crossover Trial
- University of Samarra ROR
Abstract
Post-exercise nutritional strategies profoundly influence muscle damage repair, inflammatory response, and recovery of physical performance capacity in team sport athletes. This randomised double-blind crossover trial examined the effects of acute carbohydrate-protein (CHO+PRO) co-ingestion versus isocaloric carbohydrate-only (CHO) supplementation on markers of muscle damage, inflammatory cytokines, and repeated-sprint recovery capacity in elite Iraqi handball players. Twenty male players from the Iraqi Handball Premier League (age: 23.4 +/- 2.8 years; body mass: 83.6 +/- 8.2 kg) completed two simulated 60-minute handball match protocols separated by a two-week washout. Immediately post-match and at 2 hours post-match, players received either CHO+PRO (0.8 g CHO + 0.4 g PRO per kg body mass) or isocaloric CHO (1.2 g/kg) supplements in a double-blind manner. Serum creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and muscle soreness (DOMS, 0-10 VAS scale) were assessed at baseline, immediately post-match, and at 24 and 48 hours. Repeated-sprint capacity (6 x 30 m with 25-s recovery) was assessed at 24 hours post-match. CHO+PRO produced significantly lower CK activity at 24 h (342 +/- 68 vs. 498 +/- 82 U/L; p < 0.001; d = 2.14) and 48 h (198 +/- 44 vs. 316 +/- 61 U/L; p < 0.001; d = 2.25), lower DOMS at 24 h (4.1 +/- 0.9 vs. 5.8 +/- 1.1; p < 0.001; d = 1.70), and significantly better repeated-sprint performance (mean sprint time: 4.21 +/- 0.14 vs. 4.38 +/- 0.16 s; p < 0.001; d = 1.15). These findings support acute CHO+PRO co-ingestion as a superior post-match nutritional strategy compared to carbohydrate-only supplementation for accelerating recovery in elite Iraqi handball players.
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