Effect of New Zealand blueberry consumption on recovery from eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage

Abstract

BackgroundExercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) is accompanied by localized oxidative stress / inflammation which, in the short-term at least, is associated with impaired muscular performance. Dietary antioxidants have been shown to reduce excessive oxidative stress; however, their effectiveness in facilitating recovery following EIMD is not clear. Blueberries demonstrate antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study we examine the effect of New Zealand blueberries on EIMD after strenuous eccentric exercise.MethodsIn a randomized cross-over design, 10 females consumed a blueberry smoothie or placebo of a similar antioxidant capacity 5 and 10 hours prior to and then immediately, 12 and 36 hours after EIMD induced by 300 strenuous eccentric contractions of the quadriceps. Absolute peak and average peak torque across the knee, during concentric, isometric, and eccentric actions were measured. Blood biomarkers of oxidative stress, antioxidant capacity, and inflammation were assessed at 12, 36 and 60 hours post exercise. Data were analyzed using a two-way ANOVA.ResultsA significant (p < 0.001) decrease in isometric, concentric and eccentric torque was observed 12 hours following exercise in both treatment groups. During the 60 hour recovery period, a significant (p = 0.047) interaction effect was seen for peak isometric tension suggesting a faster rate of recovery in the blueberry intervention group. A similar trend was observed for concentric and eccentric strength. An increase in oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers was also observed in both treatment groups following EIMD. Although a faster rate of decrease in oxidative stress was observed in the blueberry group, it was not significant (p < 0.05) until 36 hours post-exercise and interestingly coincided with a gradual increase in plasma antioxidant capacity, whereas biomarkers for inflammation were still elevated after 60 hours recovery.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that the ingestion of a blueberry smoothie prior to and after EIMD accelerates recovery of muscle peak isometric strength. This effect, although independent of the beverage’s inherent antioxidant capacity, appears to involve an up-regulation of adaptive processes, i.e. endogenous antioxidant processes, activated by the combined actions of the eccentric exercise and blueberry consumption. These findings may benefit the sporting community who should consider dietary interventions that specifically target health and performance adaptation.

Minimal muscle damage after a marathon and no influence of beetroot juice on inflammation and recovery

“…This interest stems from the observation that some functional foods contain a variety of naturally occurring compounds, such as polyphenols (Myburgh 2014), which appear to exhibit a broad range of physiological benefits that include, but are not limited to, antioxidant (AOX) and antiinflammatory effects (Nikolaidis et al 2012;Sousa et al 2014). There are now several reports that supplements rich in these phytonutrients, such as Montmorency cherry juice (Howatson et al 2010;Bowtell et al 2011;Bell et al 2014;Bell et al 2015), blueberry juice (McLeay et al 2012), and pomegranate juice (Trombold et al 2010;Trombold et al 2011) can attenuate indices of EIMD and accelerate recovery. However, only one of these studies examined the effects of a functional food supplement after a marathon run (Howatson et al 2010).…”

“…Indeed, there is now a growing body of evidence in both human and animal studies suggesting that akin to other functional foods shown to enhance EIMD, these chemical compounds are endowed with potent anti-inflammatory and AOX effects (Reddy et al 2005;Pietrzkowski Z 2010;Jadert et al 2012;El Gamal et al 2014). The betalains for instance, the pigments that give beetroot its violet colour, are endowed with potent radical scavenging activity, which has been proposed to help attenuate EIMD (Howatson et al 2010;McLeay et al 2012). However, it is important to note, that somewhat paradoxically, because nitrate-rich beetroot juice (BTJ) has been shown to enhance blood flow (Ferguson et al 2013), ostensibly via the nitrate-nitrite-NO pathway, beetroot also has the potential to exacerbate free radical mediated cell damage by increasing muscle perfusion (Suematsu et al 1994;Suzuki et al 1995).…”

Effects of mate tea consumption on muscle strength and oxidative stress markers after eccentric exercise

“…It is well established that exercises that involve unaccustomed and/or repeated eccentric actions may result in muscle damage and immediate decline in muscle strength (1)(2)(3)(4) . The complete restoration of muscle function can take from a few to several days after exercise, depending on the extent of the damage (2)(3)(4) .…”

“…It is well established that exercises that involve unaccustomed and/or repeated eccentric actions may result in muscle damage and immediate decline in muscle strength (1)(2)(3)(4) . The complete restoration of muscle function can take from a few to several days after exercise, depending on the extent of the damage (2)(3)(4) . It has been assumed that the delayed recovery of muscle strength may be in part associated with further damages elicited by reactive molecules released within the injured muscle (5)(6)(7)(8) .…”

A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo Controlled Clinical Trial Evaluating the Effects of an Investigational Study Product on Exercise Induced Muscle Soreness, Markers of Inflammation, Muscle Damage and Exercise Performance in Healthy Males

“…Despite a lack of evidence to support many recommended treatment strategies, there is evidence that dietary phytochemicals with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties can relieve symptoms associated with DOMS [9][10][11]. One such product is Gherkin, a type of cucumber, a pure botanical extract that has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties in humans.…”