Investigating the Effect of Two Consumption Methods of Purslane Extract on Functional Indicators of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness Following a Session of Eccentric Resistance Exercise in Military Students

Background and Aim: Delayed muscle soreness in military forces is unavoidable due to the nature of their mission, and purslane extract has a significant effect on enhancing their function due to their anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. So the purpose of the present study was investigation of the effects two consumption methods of purslane (Portulaca oleracea) on functional indicators of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) after eccentric resistance exercise in military students. Methods: Thirty active military students (age 20.4±11.4 years, weight 76.3±7.6 kg, height 176.2±5.6 cm, body mass index 24.5±1.7) were randomly divided into 3 groups include the high, low dose and placebo. The high, low dose groups received 1200 and 600 mg capsules, respectively, and the placebo group only consumed starch-containing capsules for 12 days from one week to 96 hours after eccentric resistance exercise (Squat). Delayed onset muscle soreness was established using a leg press training session, where each subject performed 4 sets presses each with 20 repetitions and 3 minutes rest between each sets with load equal to 80% of 1- isotonic maximal repetition. And 6, 24, 48, 72, 96 hours after exercise protocol, thigh circumference, thigh flexion range, talag and visual analog pain and vertical jump (Sargent jump) measured. Results: one session of eccentric resistance exercise significantly increased thigh circumference, talag pain, analog pain and decreased function. There was a significant difference between the performance indices in the six stages measured before and after the eccentric resistance exercise in the three groups (P <0.05). Also, administration of high-dose purslane (1200 mg) significantly decreased talag pain variables, significant increase in sargent jump record (P <0.05), and low-dose purslane (600 mg) significantly reduced visual pain (P <0/05) and with regard to thigh circumference and thigh flexion range, the dose of purslane did not have a significant effect. Conclusion: Overall, our study showed that the dose of purslane (1200 or 600 mg) in the military affects DOMS-influenced performance factors following an eccentric resistance exercise session. However, further research is needed to clarify this issue.