The Effects of Montmorency Tart Cherry Concentrate Supplementation on Recovery Following Prolonged, Intermittent Exercise
1
Department of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK
2
GSK Human Performance Lab., Brentford, Middlesex TW8 9GS, UK
3
Human Nutrition Research Centre, Institute of Cellular Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
4
Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University, Jordanstown, Newtownabbey BT37 0QB, UK
5
Water Research Group, School of Environmental Sciences and Development, Northwest University, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Nutrients 2016, 8(7), 441; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu8070441
Received: 22 June 2016 / Revised: 11 July 2016 / Accepted: 14 July 2016 / Published: 22 July 2016
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition, Health and Athletic Performance)
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.
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Keywords:
recovery; strenuous exercise; muscle damage; prunus cerasus; functional foods
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MDPI and ACS Style
Bell, P.G.; Stevenson, E.; Davison, G.W.; Howatson, G. The Effects of Montmorency Tart Cherry Concentrate Supplementation on Recovery Following Prolonged, Intermittent Exercise. Nutrients 2016, 8, 441.
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