Examination of Curcumin and Fenugreek Soluble Fiber Supplementation on Submaximal and Maximal Aerobic Performance Indices

Abstract

This study examined the effects of curcumin and fenugreek soluble fiber supplementation on the ventilatory threshold (VT) and peak oxygen consumption ( V ˙ O2 peak). Methods: Forty-five untrained men and women were randomly assigned to one of three supplementation groups: placebo (PLA, n = 13), 500 mg·day−1 CurQfen® (CUR, n = 14), or 300 mg·day−1 fenugreek soluble fiber (FEN, n = 18). Participants completed a maximal graded exercise test on a cycle ergometer to determine the VT and V ˙ O2 peak before (PRE) and after (POST) 28 days of daily supplementation. Separate, one-way analyses of covariance (ANCOVAs) were used to examine the between-group differences for adjusted POST VT and V ˙ O2 peak values, covaried for the respective PRE-test values. Results: The adjusted POST VT V ˙ O2 values for the CUR (mean ± SD = 1.593 ± 0.157 L·min−1) and FEN (1.597 ± 0.157 L·min−1) groups were greater than (p = 0.039 and p = 0.025, respectively) the PLA (1.465 ± 0.155 L·min−1) group, but the FEN and CUR groups were not different (p = 0.943). There were no differences in the adjusted V ˙ O2 peak values (F = 0.613, p = 0.547) among groups. Conclusion: These findings indicated that fenugreek soluble fiber was responsible for the improvements in the submaximal performance index for both CUR and FEN groups.

Fenugreek and Its Effects on Muscle Performance: A Systematic Review

“…The characteristics of the RCTs are presented in Table 1 . Of the six included RCTs, only one trial was conducted in both sexes [ 23 ], whereas the remaining RCTs were conducted in males [ 4 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ] from India [ 27 ] and the USA [ 4 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ].…”

“…The glycoside fraction of fenugreek seeds was used daily (300 mg) for eight weeks [ 27 ]. On the other hand, fenugreek soluble fibers were administered at a daily dosage of 300 mg for 28 days [ 23 ].…”

“…Four trials reported positive effects of fenugreek on muscle performance and post-exercise recovery [ 4 , 23 , 24 , 27 ]. While reviewing those trials, one trial found that fenugreek extract (500mg) had positively affected the upper (1 repetition maximum [RM] bench press) and lower (1 RM leg press) body strength compared to the placebo, without any reported side effects, in eight weeks of resistance training for male participants.…”

“…Moreover, an increase in one submaximal fatigue threshold was observed in both the fenugreek soluble fiber (FEN) and the CurQfen (CUR, i.e., curcumin plus fenugreek supplementation) groups, without alterations in maximal endurance performance (VO2 peak). The presence of fenugreek improved the submaximal performance index for both FEN and CUR groups [ 23 ].…”

“…It recommended that the variation between the curcumin and fenugreek supplementation on the ventilatory threshold can be revealed in future studies. Also, the effects of fenugreek fiber alone and curcumin with other ingredients (i.e., piperine) on submaximal endurance performance indices can be explored [ 23 ].…”