Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40640599›Full record

Trial reportEuropean journal of applied physiology2026

Bovine colostrum supplementation in rugby.

Eliran Mizelman, Keely A Shaw, Mojtaba Kaviani, Eric Brenna, Deborah Haines, Philip D Chilibeck

Abstract readRandomized Controlled Trial
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Trial report in European journal of applied physiology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Eliran MizelmanDepartment of Exercise Science, North Carolina Wesleyan University, Rocky Mount, NC, 27804, USA.
Keely A ShawFaculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada. Keely.shaw@ucalgary.ca.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6216-3276
Mojtaba KavianiSchool of Nutrition and Dietetics, Acadia University, Wolfville, NS, B4P 2R6, Canada.
Eric BrennaCollege of Kinesiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5B2, Canada.
Deborah HainesWestern College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5B2, Canada.
Philip D ChilibeckCollege of Kinesiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5B2, Canada.

Funding

Mitacs IT03839
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionBovine colostrum is a nutrient-dense first milk, rich in bioactive compounds such as immunoglobulins and growth factors, which may enhance athletic performance and immune function. Rugby union involves high-intensity training for both aerobic and muscular power, which could leave athletes vulnerable to opportunistic infections. PURPOSE: This double-blind, randomized study examined the effects of 8 weeks of bovine colostrum supplementation (38 g/day) versus soy protein in 29 club-level rugby players (three women) during the competitive season.

methodsMuscular strength (1RM bench and leg press) and power (vertical jump), aerobic power (20 m shuttle run), body composition (DXA and ultrasound), and salivary immune and inflammatory markers (IgA, CRP, IL-6, IL-1β) were assessed at baseline and after 8 weeks of supplementation.

resultsBovine colostrum supplementation significantly improved vertical jump height (+ 1.0 cm in the colostrum group; - 0.5 cm in the soy group; p = 0.0023), indicating enhanced lower body power. No significant changes were observed for upper (p = 0.38) or lower (p = 0.82) body strength, aerobic power (p = 0.16), body composition measures (p > 0.05), or salivary immune and inflammatory markers (p > 0.05) compared to the soy group. Reported incidences of illness were unaffected by bovine colostrum supplementation.

conclusionBovine colostrum may enhance neuromuscular performance, specifically lower body power, but provides limited benefits for other performance metrics, body composition, or immune/inflammatory function. Future research should explore bovine colostrum's potential during off-season training or under higher immune stress conditions.

Indexed as

Athletic PerformanceColostrumDietary SupplementsFootballMuscle StrengthAdultAnimalsBody CompositionCattleDouble-Blind MethodFemaleHumansMaleYoung AdultGrowth factorsImmunoglobulinsImmunologyMuscular powerSport nutritionVO2max

Identifiers

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.