| Effect | Decrease |
| Values | Pain 11.2 times less 24 hours after eccentric leg exercises vs. control, with pain levels of 0 at 48 and 72 hours compared to around 4 and 3 for placebo (read from graph) |
| Trial Design | Randomized trial |
| Trial Length | 1-2 Weeks |
| Number of Subjects | 30 |
| Sex | Male |
| Age Range | 18-29 |
| Body Types | Untrained |
39 untrained college males took 300 mg saffron for 10 days or 75 mg indomethacin (25 mg thrice daily) or placebo. After undergoing an eccentric resistance exercise protocol involving leg presses, subjective and objective measurements of delayed-onset muscle soreness were measured. CK and LDH levels were lower in the saffron group versus placebo up to 72 hours after the exercise. Isometric and isotonic maximum force was also improved over placebo. In many of the measures, the saffron group outperformed the indomethacin group 24 hours out, although the groups' measurements became similar 72 hours after exercise.
