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Exercise-Induced FatigueGKK1-FatigueNCT06893549

Effect of Lactobacillus Plantarum GKK1 Supplementation on Anti-fatigue Health Effects

A study testing Lactobacillus plantarum GKK1 Probiotic in people with Exercise-Induced Fatigue and Muscle Fatigue, run by National Taiwan Sport University at 1 site in Taiwan.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

Title: Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum GKK1 Supplementation on Anti-Fatigue Health Effects: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial This study aims to investigate the effects of Lactobacillus plantarum GKK1 supplementation on fatigue reduction and physical performance enhancement in healthy adults. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 35 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
What is being tested?
Lactobacillus plantarum GKK1 Probiotic
Type of treatment
Pill or oral medicine
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
48 participants
Where
1 siteTaiwan
Study dates
24 Sep 2024to 14 Mar 2025
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 35 years
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Healthy adults aged 18 to 35 years
  • Non-smokers and non-alcohol drinkers
  • No history of chronic disease (e.g., cardiovascular disease, diabetes, asthma, metabolic disorders)
  • No musculoskeletal injuries in the past 6 months
  • Not taking anti-inflammatory or pain-relief medication in the past month
  • No history of gastrointestinal surgery (excluding hernia or polyp removal)
  • No allergies to dairy or probiotics

Who cannot join

  • Diagnosed with cardiovascular, metabolic, or neurological disorders
  • Regular consumption of probiotics within the last three months
  • Pregnant or lactating women
  • Individuals taking medication affecting hormonal balance or immune response
  • Use of corticosteroids, NSAIDs, or muscle relaxants in the past month
  • Participating in another clinical trial within the last three months

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Taiwan1 site
  • National Taiwan Sport University

    Taoyuan City, 333

Other trials in Taiwan

About this study

Title: Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum GKK1 Supplementation on Anti-Fatigue Health Effects: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

This study aims to investigate the effects of Lactobacillus plantarum GKK1 supplementation on fatigue reduction and physical performance enhancement in healthy adults. Probiotics are known to modulate gut microbiota and may influence exercise-induced fatigue and recovery.

Read more

A total of 48 healthy adults aged 18-35 years will be randomly assigned to either the probiotic group (Lactobacillus plantarum GKK1, 100 billion CFU/day) or the placebo group, with supplementation for 28 consecutive days. On Day 29, participants will perform an exhaustive exercise test, and their anaerobic power, explosive power, isometric muscle strength, and stress hormone levels (cortisol, catecholamines, GH, testosterone, hs-CRP) will be evaluated before and after exercise.

The primary objective is to assess whether probiotic supplementation can reduce exercise-induced fatigue and muscle damage while improving recovery performance. Blood biochemical markers, muscle damage indicators, and subjective fatigue perception will also be analyzed.

This study is conducted at National Taiwan Sport University, under ethical approval from Landseed Hospital IRB (IRB-24-034-A2).

Read the detailed description

Probiotic supplementation has garnered increasing interest in sports science due to its potential effects on gut microbiota modulation, systemic inflammation, and exercise recovery. Lactobacillus plantarum GKK1, a strain isolated from fermented plant sources, exhibits promising antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a candidate for supporting physical resilience and fatigue recovery in active individuals.

This study is designed as a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial aiming to evaluate whether supplementation with L. plantarum GKK1 can attenuate physiological stress responses and muscle damage following exhaustive exercise in healthy adults. The probiotic intervention lasts for 28 consecutive days, during which participants maintain habitual dietary and lifestyle behaviors, except for the avoidance of other functional supplements.

The experimental exercise model includes a structured fatigue-inducing protocol involving repetitive plyometric movements. This model was selected to simulate high-intensity sport-like conditions while reliably inducing measurable muscle stress. Following this challenge, blood and urine samples are collected at predefined time points to monitor temporal changes in selected biochemical markers.

The trial incorporates both objective and subjective metrics, including validated physical performance tests and standardized fatigue perception scales. Biochemical assessments are conducted using automated clinical analyzers and immunoassay techniques under Good Laboratory Practice conditions. The core hypothesis posits that probiotic intervention will result in lower elevations in stress hormones and muscle damage biomarkers, along with improved physical performance maintenance compared to placebo.

All procedures are conducted at the National Taiwan Sport University under IRB approval (IRB-24-034-A2). This trial may provide evidence for the application of probiotic supplementation as a supportive strategy for fatigue management and exercise recovery enhancement in recreationally active populations.

Being tested
Lactobacillus plantarum GKK1 Probiotic, Placebo
Keywords
Probiotic Supplement, Exercise Fatigue, Lactiplantibacillus paraplantarum GKK1, Physical Performance, Muscle Damage, Recovery, Anaerobic Power, Explosive Power, Isometric Strength, Sports Nutrition

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Lactobacillus plantarum GKK1 ProbioticDietary supplement

    Also called Probiotic Supplement

    Participants in the probiotic group will receive a daily oral supplementation of Lactobacillus plantarum GKK1 probiotic capsules for 28 days. Each capsule contains 50 billion CFU, with a total daily intake of 100 billion CFU. The probiotic strain Lactobacillus plantarum GKK1 has been selected for its potential benefits in reducing exercise-induced fatigue and enhancing physical performance. The supplementation period will be followed by an exhaustive exercise test to assess physiological and biochemical changes.

  • PlaceboDietary supplement

    Also called Placebo Supplement

    Participants in the placebo group will receive a daily oral supplementation of placebo capsules for 28 days. The placebo capsules are identical in appearance, taste, and weight to the probiotic capsules but contain only microcrystalline α-cellulose, magnesium stearate, and silicon dioxide. The supplementation period will be followed by an exhaustive exercise test to assess physiological and biochemical changes.

Study groups in NCT06893549
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Lactobacillus plantarum GKK1 Probiotic GroupExperimentalParticipants in this group will receive a daily oral supplementation of Lactobacillus plantarum GKK1 probiotic capsules for 28 days. Each capsule contains 50 billion CFU, with a total daily intake of 100 billion CFU. On Day 29, participants will undergo an exhaustive exercise test, and various physiological and biochemical markers will be assessed pre- and post-exercise.
Receives: Dietary Supplement: Lactobacillus plantarum GKK1 Probiotic
Placebo GroupPlacebo comparatorParticipants in this group will receive a daily oral supplementation of placebo capsules for 28 days. The placebo capsules contain microcrystalline α-cellulose, magnesium stearate, and silicon dioxide, with identical appearance and taste to the probiotic capsules. On Day 29, participants will undergo an exhaustive exercise test, and various physiological and biochemical markers will be assessed pre- and post-exercise.
Receives: Dietary Supplement: Placebo

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Change in Anaerobic Power

    Anaerobic power will be assessed using a Wingate anaerobic test. Measurements include peak power (W/kg), average power (W/kg), and fatigue index (%). Higher values indicate better performance and lower fatigue.

    Measured: Time Frame: Day 0 (baseline), Day 29 before exercise, Day 29 three hours after exercise, and Day 30 twenty-four hours after exercise

Secondary outcomes (7)
  1. Change in Cortisol Levels

    Serum cortisol levels (nmol/L) will be measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cortisol is a biomarker of physiological stress and fatigue. Changes in cortisol concentration will be used to assess the participant's stress response to exhaustive exercise.

    Measured: Day 0 (baseline), Day 29 before exercise, Day 29 three hours after exercise, and Day 30 twenty-four hours after exercise

  2. Change in Catecholamines Levels

    Serum catecholamines (epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine) will be measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). These biomarkers reflect sympathetic nervous system activity and are associated with exercise-induced stress and fatigue.

    Measured: Day 0 (baseline), Day 29 before exercise, Day 29 three hours after exercise, and Day 30 twenty-four hours after exercise

  3. Change in hs-CRP Levels

    High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) will be measured in serum (mg/L) using ELISA. hs-CRP is a marker of systemic inflammation and may increase in response to intense physical stress. This measurement helps assess the anti-inflammatory effect of probiotic supplementation.

    Measured: Day 0 (baseline), Day 29 before exercise, Day 29 three hours after exercise, and Day 30 twenty-four hours after exercise

  4. Change in Creatine Kinase (CK)

    Serum creatine kinase (CK) activity (U/L) will be assessed using an automated biochemical analyzer. CK is a widely used marker of muscle damage following intense exercise. Elevated levels may indicate muscle cell injury.

    Measured: Day 0 (baseline), Day 29 before exercise, Day 29 three hours after exercise, and Day 30 twenty-four hours after exercise

  5. Change in Myoglobin Levels

    Serum myoglobin (ng/mL) will be measured using a commercial assay kit. Myoglobin is released into the blood following muscle damage and is used as an early indicator of exercise-induced muscle injury.

    Measured: Day 0 (baseline), Day 29 before exercise, Day 29 three hours after exercise, and Day 30 twenty-four hours after exercise

  6. Change in 3-Methylhistidine Levels

    Urinary 3-methylhistidine concentration will be measured as a biomarker of muscle protein breakdown. The ratio of 3-methylhistidine to creatinine (μmol/mmol) will be used to assess muscle catabolism post-exercise.

    Measured: Day 0 (baseline), Day 29 before exercise, Day 29 three hours after exercise, and Day 30 twenty-four hours after exercise

  7. Change in Subjective Fatigue Perception Score

    Subjective fatigue perception will be assessed using a 10-point visual analog scale, where 0 indicates no fatigue and 10 indicates extreme fatigue. Participants will rate their perceived fatigue at specified time points to evaluate recovery.

    Measured: Day 0 (baseline), Day 29 before exercise, Day 29 three hours after exercise, and Day 30 twenty-four hours after exercise

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted25 Mar 2025
  2. Study start24 Sep 2024
  3. Primary completion1 Nov 2024
  4. Study completion14 Mar 2025

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Prevention
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
This study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel-group trial comparing the effects of Lactobacillus plantarum GKK1 supplementation with a placebo in healthy adults.
Masking
Quadruple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
48 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT06893549
Sponsor's protocol ID
IRB-24-034-A2
Other IDs
IRB-24-034-A2
Acronym
GKK1-Fatigue
Status last verified
Mar 2025
First submitted
17 Mar 2025
Last updated
26 Mar 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Lee MC, Hsu YJ, Ho CS, Chang CH, Liu CW, Huang CC, Chiang WD. Evaluation of the Efficacy of Supplementation with Planox(R) Lemon Verbena Extract in Improving Oxidative Stress and Muscle Damage: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Trial. Int J Med Sci. 2021 May 3;18(12):2641-2652. doi: 10.7150/ijms.60726. eCollection 2021.

    PubMed 34104096
  • Lee MC, Chen CY, Shih YT, Tsai YS, Lin SW, Chen YL, Chen CC, Huang CC. Effect of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum GKK1 Supplementation on Exercise-Induced Fatigue, Muscle Damage, and Recovery in Healthy Men: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Nutrients. 2026 Aug 25;18(17):2782. doi: 10.3390/nu18172782.

    PubMed 42738954

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Lactobacillus plantarum GKK1 Probiotic in people with Exercise-Induced Fatigue and Muscle Fatigue, run by National Taiwan Sport University at 1 site in Taiwan.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 7 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 26 Mar 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Taiwan. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Change in Anaerobic Power (time frame: Time Frame: Day 0 (baseline), Day 29 before exercise, Day 29 three hours after exercise, and Day 30 twenty-four hours after exercise). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06893549, which also lists 2 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 26 Mar 2025.

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