Spirulina and exercise damage in elite rugby players
What it found
In 17 elite male rugby players, taking spirulina for 7 weeks prevented rises in some markers of fat damage, inflammation and muscle damage after exhaustive exercise.
The placebo group showed rises in these markers.
What they found
Studies in people
Fat damage marker
F2-isoprostanes rose significantly right after exercise only in the placebo group (by 17.8%). In the spirulina group, the level at 24 hours was significantly lower than at rest.
Inflammation marker
C-reactive protein rose significantly right after exercise only in the placebo group (by 10.4%). In the spirulina group, it fell significantly at 24 hours (by 27.5%) and was lower than at rest.
Muscle damage marker
Creatine kinase rose significantly right after exercise only in the placebo group (by 15.5%). In the spirulina group, it fell significantly at 24 hours (by 34.2%) and was lower than at rest.
Other markers unchanged
No significant differences between groups were found for superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, the reduced/oxidised glutathione ratio, oxidised LDL, myeloperoxidase, or lactate dehydrogenase.
No side effects
No adverse effects were reported during or after spirulina supplementation.
What the authors conclude
“Based on the markers used in this study, our results report that spirulina supplementation potentially prevents exercise-induced lipid peroxidation, inflammation, skeletal muscle damage and may accelerate the recovery of some of these markers.”
Also in their conclusions
- They conclude that spirulina supplementation potentially prevents exercise-induced lipid peroxidation, inflammation, and skeletal muscle damage, and may accelerate the recovery of some of these markers.
- They recommend spirulina supplementation especially for athletes who do not achieve the recommended antioxidant dietary intake and who perform a high training load.
- They note that the small sample size and the small number of biomarkers limit the validity and generalizability of their findings, and that more investigations are needed.
How it was done
The authors wanted to see if spirulina, a blue-green microalga rich in protein and antioxidants, could reduce the oxidative stress, inflammation and muscle damage caused by intense exercise in elite team-sport athletes.
Seventeen elite male Rugby Union players were randomly assigned to take either spirulina (5.7 g per day) or a placebo for 7 weeks. Before and after supplementation, blood samples were taken before, immediately after, and 24 hours after an exhaustive exercise test (the Yoyo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 2).
What it can’t tell you
- The study was small (17 players) and only looked at a few markers, so the results may not apply to other athletes or other health situations.
- It cannot show whether spirulina affects performance or recovery in the long term, or whether it works the same way in non-athletes.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- CHU and University of Liège, Belgium
The paper
- Title
- Spirulina supplementation prevents exercise-induced lipid peroxidation, inflammation and skeletal muscle damage in elite rugby players
- Type
- Randomised controlled trial
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Full text
- Cite
- Chaouachi M, Gautier S, Carnot Y, et al (2022). Spirulina supplementation prevents exercise-induced lipid peroxidation, inflammation and skeletal muscle damage in elite rugby players. Journal of human nutrition and dietetics. doi:10.1111/jhn.13014Free full textPubMed 35394687DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error