Nutritional intervention during muscle injury considering its pathophysiology: Review article

Abstract

Injury generates physical, emotional and financial costs and so strategies have been sought to shorten the recovery period as much as possible. One underused tool is nutrition. A review of the scientific literature is presented by means of a search in four databases (Pubmed/MEDLINE, Epistemonikos, Embase and Sportdiscus) on the pathophysiology of muscle injury and its nutritional modulation. Local changes mediated by cells and inflammatory mediators and secondary changes in body composition are described. Published nutritional interventions include increasing dietary protein and adjusting carbohydrates in line with the athlete's lower energy expenditure. There are no studies which have directly evaluated the use of supplements during injury, although there is mostly encouraging indirect evidence in sarcopenia and muscle recovery. Nutritional intervention during injury is essential to lessen the negative consequences of inactivity and should be indicated in an individualised way.