Curcumin has been shown to reduce exercise-induced oxidative stress (OS) and inflammation. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effects of curcumin supplementation on OS, inflammation, muscle damage, and muscle soreness. Nineteen males participated in a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial to examine the effects of curcumin supplementation (1.5 g/day) compared to a placebo (PLA) following a muscle-damaging protocol (MDP) on OS, inflammation, muscle damage, and soreness. Participants were randomized to two groups, curcumin or placebo group. The MDP was performed before and after supplementation (28 days). Blood was sampled pre- and postexercise and 60 min, 24 h, and 48 h postexercise and analyzed for total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and creatine kinase (CK). In addition, a visual analog scale (VAS) was used on each blood sample to measure perceived muscle soreness. After supplementation, curcumin significantly blunted CK levels (199.62 U/L) compared to the placebo (287.03 U/L), overall (p < 0.0001). In addition, curcumin resulted in decreased muscle soreness, overall (VAS scale 2.88), when compared to the placebo (VAS scale 3.36) (p = 0.0120). There were no differences found in TAC, TNF-α, or MDA. Curcumin may reduce muscle damage and perceived muscle soreness without negatively impacting a natural inflammatory response following exercise. Future research should investigate chronic curcumin supplementation and its mechanistic effects on muscle recovery from exercise.

This position stand aims to provide an evidence-based summary of the energy and nutritional demands of tactical athletes to promote optimal health and performance while keeping in mind the unique challenges faced due to work schedules, job demands, and austere environments. After a critical analysis of the literature, the following nutritional guidelines represent the position of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN).

Objective: Firefighters are at a heightened risk for developing cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this study was to determine if time restricted feeding (TRF) can improve the stress/inflammatory response to a simulated firegrounds test (FGT) in professional firefighters. Methods: Thirteen firefighters participated in an 8-week TRF intervention (14:10 [fasting:feeding]) protocol and completed a FGT before and after the intervention. Blood lactate, heart rate, salivary C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin 1-β (IL-1β), and cortisol were measured pre and post FGT. Results: Following TRF, the salivary cortisol response to the FGT was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced. Salivary IL-6 and IL-1β were also significantly lower, and CRP was higher following the intervention. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate lower inflammation and reduced stress response to FGT following TRF and may suggest implications in terms of cardiometabolic benefits for firefighters.

McAllister, MJ, Gonzalez, AE, and Waldman, HS. Impact of time restricted feeding on markers of cardiometabolic health and oxidative stress in resistance-trained firefighters. J Strength Cond Res 36(9): 2515–2522, 2022—Firefighters are often exposed to numerous occupational stressors that cause inflammation, oxidative stress (OS), and elevated risk for developing cardiometabolic disease. Time-restricted feeding (TRF) has been shown to result in favorable changes in markers of inflammation and cardiometabolic health. This study investigated the impact of a 6-week TRF intervention (14:10; fasting:feeding) in resistance-trained firefighters. Blood was analyzed for several markers of inflammation, OS, and cardiometabolic health: insulin, ghrelin, leptin, glucagon, adiponectin, resistin, advanced glycated end products (AGE), advanced oxidation protein products, total nitrite-nitrate levels, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10, as well as glucose and lipid levels. A graded exercise test was also conducted before and after the TRF intervention, and substrate oxidation rates were calculated and compared before and after the intervention. Comparisons pre and post TRF were determined with dependent t -tests. Time-restricted feeding resulted in significant reductions in advanced oxidation protein products (∼31%) and AGEs (∼25%); however, no other changes were found. These findings suggest that TRF may be a nutrition intervention aimed at improving some select markers of cardiometabolic health in firefighters, namely, by the reductions in advanced oxidation protein products and AGEs.

Objective: High cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is associated with reduced markers of oxidative stress and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors; however, this relationship has not been elucidated in firefighters. The purpose of this study was to examine differences in markers of CVD risk between firefighters who have either high or low levels of CRF. Methods: Forty-six firefighters participated in a maximal graded exercise test and a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scan and provided a fasted blood sample. V˙O_2max values were categorized based on American College of Sports Medicine guidelines to establish high- and low-fitness groups. Results: High fitness firefighters demonstrated significantly higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and lower markers of CVD risk: cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, insulin, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance, C-reactive protein, and advanced oxidation protein products concentrations. Conclusion: Firefighters are encouraged to maintain high CRF to reduce risk of CVD.