Influence of tart cherry juice on indices of recovery following marathon running.
This investigation determined the efficacy of a tart cherry juice in aiding recovery and reducing muscle damage, inflammation and oxidative stress. Twenty recreational Marathon runners assigned to either consumed cherry juice or placebo for 5 days before, the day of and for 48 h following a Marathon run. Markers of muscle damage (creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, muscle soreness and isometric strength), inflammation [interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP) and uric acid], total antioxidant status (TAS) and oxidative stress [thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) and protein carbonyls] were examined before and following the race. Isometric strength recovered significantly faster (P=0.024) in the cherry juice group. No other damage indices were significantly different. Inflammation was reduced in the cherry juice group (IL-6, P<0.001; CRP, P<0.01; uric acid, P<0.05). TAS was ~10% greater in the cherry juice than the placebo group for all post-supplementation measures (P<0.05). Protein carbonyls was not different; however, TBARS was lower in the cherry juice than the placebo at 48 h (P<0.05). The cherry juice appears to provide a viable means to aid recovery following strenuous exercise by increasing total antioxidative capacity, reducing inflammation, lipid peroxidation and so aiding in the recovery of muscle function.
Howatson
G
G
School of Psychology and Sport Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. glyn.howatson@northumbria.ac.uk
McHugh
M P
MP
Hill
J A
JA
Brouner
J
J
Jewell
A P
AP
van Someren
K A
KA
Shave
R E
RE
Howatson
S A
SA
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015850:Interleukin-6; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D027861:Prunus; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D014527:Uric Acid
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D015850:Interleukin-6; D028321:Plant Preparations; D014527:Uric Acid; D002097:C-Reactive Protein