Melatonin supplementation ameliorates oxidative stress, antioxidant status and physical performances recovery during a soccer training camp

It is well established that intensive physical training induces oxidative stress and muscle damage that can contribute to fatigue and injuries. Melatonin (MEL) has been used as an ergogenic aid (i.e. antioxidant, chronobiotic, and anti-inflammatory) which could help athletes during an intensive training period. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of MEL supplementation on the recovery of physical performance, muscle pain and biochemical responses after an intensive training camp (TC). Twenty soccer players, volunteered to participate in this study, performed a repeated sprint ability (RSA) test before and after an intensive six-days TC with a daily ingestion of MEL or placebo. Resting and post RSA test blood samples were taken before and after the TC. MEL intake decreased resting oxidative stress marker (i.e. MDA) (p < 0.05), and biomarkers of muscle damage (i.e. CK, LDH) (p < 0.05). It increased the activity of the main antioxidant enzyme (i.e. SOD) (p < 0.05). MEL also helped to reduce the drop in performance observed after the TC (p < 0.05) and decreased muscle pain (p < 0.05). In conclusion, MEL supplementation during an intensive TC alleviates oxidative stress and muscle damage and improved the recovery of physical performance in soccer players.