The scores relative to different sites on each side of the thigh and leg were summed to obtain a total score for each segment of the lower limb (anterior right thigh, find more posterior right thigh, anterior right leg, posterior right leg, anterior left thigh, posterior left this website thigh, anterior left leg and posterior left leg). Statistical analyses Data are expressed as means ± SD [95% confidence interval]. Between- and within-group changes in IL-8, MCP-1, CK, ESR, CRP, hsCRP, FRAP, CAT and GPx levels were analysed with a two-way mixed-design analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey-Kramer test for pairwise comparisons. Pain scores and albumin, MPO, CD3+ cells were

analysed by the Hotelling’s T2 test. The Pearson’s Chi squared test was used to analyse data obtained from the MRI. Significance was set at p < 0.05. Results Study participants Nineteen subjects out of twenty completed the study. One subject in the Meriva® group dropped out before the injury test phase by personal decision. Baseline characteristics of participants are presented in Table 1. There were no statistically significant differences between subjects in the placebo (n = 10) and the Meriva® (n = 9) group. Maximal speed reached during the maximal exercise Luminespib test was 13.7 ± 1.8 [12.4;15.9] and 14.8 ± 1.1 [13.9;15.6] km/h in the placebo and Meriva® group, respectively (p = ns). During the downhill running test subjects treated

with placebo and Meriva® were able to maintain a speed of 10.9 ± 1.2 [10.0;11.7] and 11.4 ± 0.9 [10.8;11.4] km/h, respectively, for 45 minutes, which was comparable to the speed at the anaerobic threshold (Table 1). Table 1 Subjects’ baseline characteristics   Placebo (n = 10) Mean ± SD 95% CI Curcumin (n = 9) Mean ± SD 95% CI Age (years) 38.1 ± 11.1 30.1;46.1 32.7 ± 12.3 23.1;42.1 Height (cm) 174.8 ± 3.0 172.7;176.9 176.6 ± 3.6 173.7;179.4 Weight (kg) 75.8 ± 6.5 71.2;80.4 76.2 ± 4.2 73.0;79.5 BMI (kg/m2) 24.8 ± 1.7 23.6;26.0 24.4 ± 1.0 23.6;25.2 VO2/kg (ml/kg) 45.8 ± 4.7 42.5;49.2

TCL 48.9 ± 5.3 44.8;53.1 Maximal speed (maximal exercise test) (km/h) 13.7 ± 1.8 12.4;15.0 14.8 ± 1.1 13.9:15.6 Speed at the anaerobic threshold (km/h) 10.9 ± 1.7 6.6;12.1 11.8 ± 1.5 10.6;12.9 Speed during the injury provocation test (km/h) 10.9 ± 1.2 10.0;11.7 11.4 ± 0.9 10.8;11.4 Imaging studies Overall, the number of subjects with MRI evidence of muscle injury was similar in the two groups. However, the proportion of subjects with MRI evidence of muscle injury in the posterior or medial compartment of the right thigh was significantly lower in the Meriva® group as compared to the placebo group (44.4% vs. 90%, p = 0.0329 and 33.3% vs.