Ghajari, Meisam, vahabidelshad, Reyhaneh. (1404). The Attenuating Effect of Honey Supplementation on Biomarkers of Inflammation and Muscle Damage Induced by High-Intensity Incremental Exercise: A Randomized Study in Handball Players. سامانه مدیریت نشریات علمی, 7(14), -. doi: 10.22054/nass.2025.90059.1210
Meisam Ghajari; Reyhaneh vahabidelshad. "The Attenuating Effect of Honey Supplementation on Biomarkers of Inflammation and Muscle Damage Induced by High-Intensity Incremental Exercise: A Randomized Study in Handball Players". سامانه مدیریت نشریات علمی, 7, 14, 1404, -. doi: 10.22054/nass.2025.90059.1210
Ghajari, Meisam, vahabidelshad, Reyhaneh. (1404). 'The Attenuating Effect of Honey Supplementation on Biomarkers of Inflammation and Muscle Damage Induced by High-Intensity Incremental Exercise: A Randomized Study in Handball Players', سامانه مدیریت نشریات علمی, 7(14), pp. -. doi: 10.22054/nass.2025.90059.1210
Ghajari, Meisam, vahabidelshad, Reyhaneh. The Attenuating Effect of Honey Supplementation on Biomarkers of Inflammation and Muscle Damage Induced by High-Intensity Incremental Exercise: A Randomized Study in Handball Players. سامانه مدیریت نشریات علمی, 1404; 7(14): -. doi: 10.22054/nass.2025.90059.1210
The Attenuating Effect of Honey Supplementation on Biomarkers of Inflammation and Muscle Damage Induced by High-Intensity Incremental Exercise: A Randomized Study in Handball Players
1Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
21. Faculty of Motor Sciences, Universite Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium, Email: reyhanevahabi@yahoo.com, Orcid: 0000-0001-9203-8281
چکیده
Background and aim: Honey, a natural source of carbohydrates and bioactive compounds, possesses potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, but its efficacy in team-sport athletes remains underexplored. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the acute effects of honey supplementation on plasma CK and IL-6 concentrations following high-intensity incremental exercise in young male handball players. Methods: In a double-blind, semi-experimental design, 30 amateur young male handball players were randomly assigned to three groups (n=10 each): Honey Supplementation + High-Intensity Incremental Exercise (SUP+HIT), Placebo + High-Intensity Incremental Exercise (PL+HIT), and Honey Supplementation (SUP). Blood samples were collected at baseline, immediately after the exercise (HIT 1), and one hour post-exercise (HIT 2) to analyze CK and IL-6 levels. Results: At baseline, no significant differences existed between groups. The high-intensity incremental exercise provoked significant increases in both CK and IL-6 in the exercise groups. However, this response was significantly attenuated in the SUP+HIT group compared to the PL+HIT group. One hour post-exercise, the PL+HIT group showed increases of 62% in CK and 47% in IL-6, whereas the SUP+HIT group showed significantly lower increases of 32% and 27%, respectively (p < 0.001 between groups). The SUP group exhibited no significant increase in either biomarker. Conclusion: Honey supplementation effectively attenuates the acute rise in plasma CK and IL-6 following high-intensity exercise in handball players. These findings suggest that honey is a valuable nutritional intervention for reducing biochemical markers of muscle damage and inflammation, thereby potentially enhancing recovery in team-sport athletes.