title: The Effects of Montmorency Tart Cherry Concentrate Supplementation on Recovery Following Prolonged, Intermittent Exercise.
abstract: This study investigated Montmorency tart cherry concentrate (MC) supplementation on markers of recovery following prolonged, intermittent sprint activity. Sixteen semi-professional, male soccer players, who had dietary restrictions imposed for the duration of the study, were divided into two equal groups and consumed either MC or placebo (PLA) supplementation for eight consecutive days (30 mL twice per day). On day 5, participants completed an adapted version of the Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test (LISTADAPT). Maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC), 20 m Sprint, counter movement jump (CMJ), agility and muscle soreness (DOMS) were assessed at baseline, and 24, 48 and 72 h post-exercise. Measures of inflammation (IL-1-β, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, hsCRP), muscle damage (CK) and oxidative stress (LOOH) were analysed at baseline and 1, 3, 5, 24, 48 and 72 h post-exercise. Performance indices (MVIC, CMJ and agility) recovered faster and muscle soreness (DOMS) ratings were lower in the MC group (p < 0.05). Additionally, the acute inflammatory response (IL-6) was attenuated in the MC group. There were no effects for LOOH and CK. These findings suggest MC is efficacious in accelerating recovery following prolonged, repeat sprint activity, such as soccer and rugby, and lends further evidence that polyphenol-rich foods like MC are effective in accelerating recovery following various types of strenuous exercise.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK. phillip.g.bell@northumbria.ac.uk.|GSK Human Performance Lab., Brentford, Middlesex TW8 9GS, UK. phillip.g.bell@northumbria.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Phillip G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.affiliation: Human Nutrition Research Centre, Institute of Cellular Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK. emma.stevenson@ncl.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stevenson
authors.affiliation: Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University, Jordanstown, Newtownabbey BT37 0QB, UK. gw.davison@ulster.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Gareth W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Davison
authors.affiliation: Department of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK. glyn.howatson@northumbria.ac.uk.|Water Research Group, School of Environmental Sciences and Development, Northwest University, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa. glyn.howatson@northumbria.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Glyn
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Howatson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes; D054874:Athletic Performance; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005511:Food Handling; D000067030:Fruit and Vegetable Juices; D055951:Functional Food; D000072696:High-Intensity Interval Training / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D063806:Myalgia / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D009220:Myositis / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D027861:Prunus / Q000737:chemistry*; D012420:Running; D012916:Soccer; D064133:Sports Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D006113:United Kingdom; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D018836:Inflammation Mediators
keywords: functional foods; muscle damage; prunus cerasus; recovery; strenuous exercise