Pomegranate Extract Improves Maximal Performance of Trained Cyclists after an Exhausting Endurance Trial: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Abstract

The efficacy of pomegranate (Punica granatum) extract (PE) for improving performance and post-exercise recovery in an active population was equivocal in previous studies. In this study, a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, balanced, cross-over trial with two arms was conducted. Eligibility criteria for participants were as follows: male, amateur cyclist, with a training routine of 2 to 4 sessions per week (at least one hour per session). The cyclists (n = 26) were divided into treatment (PE) and placebo (PLA) groups for a period of 15 days. After physical tests, the groups were exchanged after a 14-day washout period. Exercise tests consisted of endurance bouts (square-wave endurance exercise test followed by an incremental exercise test to exhaustion) and an eccentric exercise drill. The objective was to assess the efficacy of PE in performance outcomes and post-exercise muscular recovery and force restoration after a prolonged submaximal effort. Twenty-six participants were included for statistical analysis. There was a statistically significant difference in total time to exhaustion (TTE)(17.66–170.94 s, p < 0.02) and the time to reach ventilatory threshold 2 (VT2)(26.98–82.55 s, p < 0.001), with greater values for the PE compared to the PLA group. No significant results were obtained for force restoration in the isokinetic unilateral low limb test. PE, after a prolonged submaximal effort, may be effective in improving performance outcomes at maximal effort and might help to restore force in the damaged muscles.

Dissociable Effects of Executive Load on Perceived Exertion and Emotional Valence during Submaximal Cycling

“…In the experimental sessions, a constant intensity cycling task (a square-wave endurance exercise task, SWEET; [ 33 ]) was performed using the same cycle ergometer. Participants were instructed to complete a self-paced 5 min warm-up, without reaching initial load, followed by 45 min of SWEET with an individual load in watts, corresponding to 60% of VO 2max as calculated in the pre-experimental test, with a pedaling cadence between 60 and 100 RPM.…”

Effects of natural polyphenol-rich pomegranate juice on the acute and delayed response of Homocysteine and steroidal hormones following weightlifting exercises: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

“…Since POM supplementation has the potential to enhance physiological responses of people manifesting symptoms of physiological stress [5][6][7][8][9], and as intensive physical exercise is a potent and multifaceted physiological stressor [20][21][22][23], previous reports have suggested POM supplementation as an effective ergogenic and recovery aid for athletic populations [24,25]. The effectiveness of POM supplementation on exercise performance and post-exercise recovery has been shown by numerous studies [24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33]. Indeed, POM supplementation appears to hold potential as a nutritional aid to enhance performance during and alleviate muscle fatigue and soreness following endurance [27][28][29] and strength [10,24,25,31] exercise.…”

“…The effectiveness of POM supplementation on exercise performance and post-exercise recovery has been shown by numerous studies [24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33]. Indeed, POM supplementation appears to hold potential as a nutritional aid to enhance performance during and alleviate muscle fatigue and soreness following endurance [27][28][29] and strength [10,24,25,31] exercise. POM also appears to enhance post exercise recovery of skeletal muscle function during different type of exercises [11] by attenuating muscle damage following weightlifting exercise [10], promoting antioxidant defenses following exhaustive strength exercises [26] and aerobic based-exercises [30,32,33], mitigating inflammation during exhaustive running exercise [32] and enhancing cardiovascular function during strength [10,30] and treadmill running exercise [29].…”

Urolithin A augments angiogenic pathways in skeletal muscle by bolstering NAD+ and SIRT1

“…Ellagitannins (ETs) are natural products that are known to preserve muscle health 8,9 . Upon hydrolysis, ETs release ellagic acid (EA) which undergoes metabolism by the gut microflora into urolithins 10 .…”