METHODS OF REDUCING EXERCISE-INDUCED INJURY OR ENHANCING MUSCLE RECOVERY AFTER EXERCISE

1 . A method of reducing exercise-induced injury and/or enhancing muscle recovery after exercise in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to said subject an effective amount of 2′-fucosyllactose (2′FL).

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the effective amount is an amount that increases the expression of CEBPB.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject is a human subject.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the exercise comprises at least one of intense exercise, eccentric exercise, exercise in elevated ambient temperature, repetitive exercise, aerobic exercise, and high altitude exercise.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the 2′-FL is administered after exercise.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the 2′-FL is administered after muscle injury.

7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the 2′-FL is administered after the subject experiences pain, soreness, inflammation, and/or reduced muscle function.

8 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the subject is an athlete.

9 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising administering 3-sialyllactose (3-SL) and/or 6-sialyllactose (6-SL).

10 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising administering a protein.

11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the protein is a plant-based protein.

12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the protein is a whey protein.

13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the plant-based protein is selected from the group consisting of soy protein, pea protein, canola protein, wheat and fractionated wheat proteins, corn proteins, zein proteins, rice proteins, oat proteins, potato proteins, peanut proteins, green pea powder, green bean powder, Spirulina , or proteins derived from vegetables, beans, buckwheat, lentils, pulses, single cell proteins, or combination of any of thereof.

14 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising administering an essential amino acid selected from the group consisting of phenylalanine, valine, threonine, tryptophan, isoleucine, methionine, leucine, lysine, histidine, and combinations thereof.

15 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising administering cysteine tyrosine, glutathione, or a combination of any of thereof.

16 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising administering Vitamin B6 and/or Vitamin C.

17 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising administering one or more electrolytes.

18 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject has reduced CEBPB expression level prior to the administration of 2′-FL, wherein the reduced CEBPB expression level is reduced as compared to a control expression level.

19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the expression level is detected by measuring RNA.

20 . The method of claim 18 , the method further comprising obtaining a biological sample from the subject prior to the administration of the 2′-FL, detecting the expression level of CEBPB in the biological sample, and determining that the expression level of CEBPB is lower than that of the control expression level.

21 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the expression level of CEBPB increases after the administration of the 2′-FL.

22 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the 2′FL is administered orally.

23 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the amount of 2′FL is from 1 g to about 20 g per day.

24 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the 2′-FL is administered as part of a nutritional composition that further comprises at least one of the following: creatine, a whey protein, a plant-based protein, an essential amino acid, a branched amino acid, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, an electrolyte, cysteine, tyrosine, and glutathione; and further wherein the composition is not mammalian milk.

25 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the 2′-FL is administered as part of a nutritional composition that further comprises 3-SL and/or 6-SL.