Electronic Journal of Biology

Aged Garlic Supplementation Improves Muscle Performance Properties in Untrained Male

Background: Aged garlic extract (AGE) is a dietary supplement and is reported have numerous health benefits including protection against fatigue. Recently, aged garlic extract (AGE) has been promoted as a nutritional supplementation against fatigue. However, the effects of AGE on muscle strength contraction properties have not been clearly defined in humans. The aim of this study was to investigate the antifatigue role of AGE in isokinetic muscle contraction in sedentary men.

Methods and findings: Six male subjects participated in this study and were tested during the isokinetic concentric/concentric protocol involving 6 maximal repetitions at the 60 and 180 degrees/sec on dominant knee for extensor and flexor muscles. Subsequently, the concentric muscle fatigue test with 30 maximal repetitions at 180°/sec was performed. After baseline test, the subjects were supplemented daily with AGE (5 ml) for 10 days. The performance tests were evaluated at baseline, after 10 days of post-supplementation and 10 days after the end of the study. AGE increased the extensor and flexor muscle function of the peak work, peak work/ body weight, average and total work in the postsupplementation period. Flexor peak torque, peak power, average power values were increased in the post-supplementation whereas no effect was observed on the extensor functions regarding these parameters.

Conclusion: AGE supplementation enhanced isokinetic knee muscle work parameters in the postsupplementation period in untrained men.

Author(s):

Zekine Punduk

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