Aging is a multi-factorial process that ultimately induces a decline in our physiological functioning, causing a decreased health-span, quality of life and independence for older adults. Exercise participation is seen as a way to reduce the impact of aging through maintenance of physiological parameters. Eccentric exercise is a model that can be employed with older adults, due to the muscle's ability to combine high muscle force production with a low energy cost. There may however be a risk of muscle damage before the muscle is able to adapt. The first part of this review describes the process of aging and how it reduces aerobic capacity, muscle strength and therefore functional mobility. The second part highlights eccentric exercise and the associated muscle damage, in addition to the repeated bout effect. The final section reviews eccentric exercise interventions that have been completed by older adults with a focus on the changes in functional mobility. In conclusion, eccentric endurance exercise is a potential training modality that can be applied to older adults for improving muscle strength, aerobic capacity and functional ability. However, further research is needed to assess the effects on aerobic capacity and the ideal prescription for eccentric endurance exercise.

19Blackcurrant contains anthocyanins, known to influence vasorelaxation and peripheral blood 20 flow. We examined the effects of 7 days intake of Sujon New Zealand blackcurrant powder 21 (6g/day) on the lactate curve, maximum oxygen uptake, and cardiovascular responses at rest and 22 during cycling. Thirteen trained triathletes with >3 yrs experience (8 men, age: 38±8 yrs, body 23As accepted for publication, http://journals.humankinetics.com/ijsnem As accepted for publication, http://journals.humankinetics.com/ijsnem mass: 71±9 kg, BF%: 19±5%, mean±SD) performed two incremental cycling protocols with 24 recording of physiological and cardiovascular responses (Portapres® Model 2). Cardiovascular 25 function was also measured in rest. Experimental design was double-blind, placebo-controlled, 26 randomized and cross-over (wash-out 4 wks). Data was analysed with two-tailed t-tests and 2-27 way ANOVA and significance accepted at p<0.05. Plasma lactate was lower at 40%, 50%, 60% 28 and 70% of maximum power by 27%, 22%, 17% and 13%. Intensity at 4 mmol•L -1 OBLA was 29 6% higher with blackcurrant without effect on heart rate and oxygen uptake. Maximum values of 30 oxygen uptake, heart rate and power were not affected by blackcurrant, but obtained with 14% 31 lower lactate. In rest, blackcurrant increased stroke volume and cardiac output by 25% and 26%, 32 and decreased total peripheral resistance by 16%, with no changes in blood pressure and heart 33 rate. Cardiovascular responses during exercise at 40%, 50%, 60%, 70% and 80% intensity were 34 not affected. Sujon New Zealand blackcurrant powder affects lactate production and/or clearance 35 during exercise. Sujon New Zealand blackcurrant powder affects physiological and 36 cardiovascular responses in rest and during exercise that may have implications for exercise 37 performance. 38 39

Blackcurrant is rich in anthocyanins that may affect exercise-induced physiological responses. We examined tissue oxygen saturation, muscle activity, cardiovascular responses and femoral artery diameter during a submaximal sustained isometric contraction. In a randomised, double-blind, crossover design, healthy men (n = 13, age: 25 ± 4 years, BMI: 25 ± 3 kg·m−2, mean ± SD) ingested New Zealand blackcurrant (NZBC) extract (600 mg∙day−1 CurraNZ™) or placebo (PL) for 7-days separated by 14-days washout. Participants produced isometric maximal voluntary contractions (iMVC) and a 120-s 30%iMVC of the quadriceps with electromyography (EMG), near-infrared spectroscopy, hemodynamic and ultrasound recordings. There was no effect of NZBC extract on iMVC (NZBC: 654 ± 73, PL: 650 ± 78 N). During the 30%iMVC with NZBC extract, total peripheral resistance, systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressure were lower with increased cardiac output and stroke volume. With NZBC extract, EMG root mean square of the vastus medialis and muscle oxygen saturation were lower with higher total haemoglobin. During the 30%iMVC, femoral artery diameter was increased with NZBC extract at 30 (6.9%), 60 (8.2%), 90 (7.7%) and 120 s (6.0%). Intake of NZBC extract for 7-days altered cardiovascular responses, muscle oxygen saturation, muscle activity and femoral artery diameter during a 120-s 30%iMVC of the quadriceps. The present study provides insight into the potential mechanisms for enhanced exercise performance with intake of blackcurrant.

Seven-day intake of New Zealand blackcurrant extract demonstrated a dose-dependent effect on increasing fat oxidation during 120-min cycling at 65% [Formula: see text] in endurance-trained male cyclists.