ObjectivesResveratrol, a natural polyphenolic flavonoid antioxidant is known to have numerous health benefits and to act as a potent anti-inflammatory substance. This study was undertaken to investigate the inflammatory responses and delayed onset of muscle soreness after the London Marathon, and whether it is altered by Resveratrol.Design and settingDouble placebo-controlled randomised trial conducted at the London Marathon, 2010.MethodsSeven healthy male athletes were recruited for the study. Participants were randomised to either Resveratrol or placebo. The Resveratrol group was treated with 600 mg Resveratrol daily for 7 days immediately before the marathon. Blood was taken 48 h before the marathon and 18–32 h after the marathon. Samples were analysed for white blood cell count (WBC) and C reactive protein (CRP). To assess delayed onset muscle soreness a visual analogue scale (VAS) score was taken at the same times as the blood samples. The prepost changes were compared between the groups using the Mann–Whitney U test.ResultsThere was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of changes occurring between pre and post-tests for WBC, CRP or VAS (p=0.857, 0.629 and 0.70 respectively).ConclusionThis pilot study could not find a difference in immune response or delayed onset of muscle soreness between Resveratrol and placebo after the London Marathon 2010. Further investigations are needed with longer treatment time and higher doses, analysing additional parameters like interleukins for a possible effect of Resveratrol on the inflammatory response due to extensive exercise.

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Futsal is a high-intensity, intermittent sport where accelerations and short sprints are performed at maximal or sub-maximal intensity. These efforts are interspersed by brief recovery periods, during 2 halves of 20 minutes stopping clock. Aerobic endurance inevitably plays a key role in the players' performance. The aim of this study was to analyse the VO2 max progression and the agility (with and without ball) of English futsal players during a 6-week period of small-sided games practice. Two teams volunteered to participate in this study; an experimental group (EG), which performed a specialised small-sided training regime and a control group (CG) (normal training regime). VO2max was estimated from the results of the 20-metre Multi-Stage Fitness Test. The VO2max of the futsal players in the EG improved significantly (58.73±2.41 ml/kg/min vs. 60.11 ± 2.99 ml/kg/min, p=0.04). The same player's agility and agility with ball performance did not report any significant changes in either group. The results showed that periodisation, training sessions and methods based on small-sided games, which implied a change in the number of players, the size of the pitch and the task constraints, were adequate to increase aerobic endurance.

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