The effects of betalain-rich concentrate supplementation in attenuating muscle damage following eccentric exercise

Abstract

Betalains are bioactive pigments that have been shown to reduce muscle damage and enhance recovery from exercise. However, to date, studies have examined the effects of betalains on aerobic exercise alone, and thus, their possible benefits for muscle damage recovery following eccentric exercise is unknown. We, therefore, aimed to examine the effects of a betalain-rich concentrate (BRC) on indices of muscle damage following eccentric exercise. Eleven healthy, recreationally active males were randomly assigned into a treatment group (50 mg of BRC, containing 12.5 mg of betalains, 3 times per day for 3 days) or a control group and performed 30 maximal eccentric contractions of the elbow flexors. Maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), arm circumference (AC), muscle soreness (MS), and range of motion (ROM) were measured before, immediately after, and 24, 48, and 72 hr following eccentric exercise. Creatine kinase (CK) was measured before, 24, 48, and 72 hr following the eccentric exercise. No significant differences or interactions were observed for any of the variables (p = > .05); however, a non-significant trend with a large effect size (p = .07, ηp 2 = 0.28) was found for the main effect for MVC. Although we failed to identify any statistically significant differences in any of the variables measured, the large effect size observed for MVC may have practical benefits in the enhancement of skeletal muscle recovery following eccentric exercise.

Effect of Beetroot Juice Supplementation on Muscle Soreness and Performance Recovery after Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage in Female Volleyball Players

“…The present study found that Sw-T and muscle soreness decreased significantly after BRJ supplementation. One possible explanation for the significant improvement in wall-sit performance and non-significant VSFT is the reduction in muscle soreness and related mechanisms, such as the reduction in tissue swelling [38,46]. In fact, muscle soreness is associated with symptoms such as reduced muscle force production, pain, mechanical damage to skeletal muscles, and tissue edema [38,46,47].…”

“…One possible explanation for the significant improvement in wall-sit performance and non-significant VSFT is the reduction in muscle soreness and related mechanisms, such as the reduction in tissue swelling [38,46]. In fact, muscle soreness is associated with symptoms such as reduced muscle force production, pain, mechanical damage to skeletal muscles, and tissue edema [38,46,47]. Furthermore, nitrate-rich dietary supplements, such as BRJ, have been reported to play a vital role in improving neuromuscular efficiency, especially during fatigue [48].…”

Acute Supplementation with Cannabidiol Does Not Attenuate Inflammation or Improve Measures of Performance following Strenuous Exercise

“…An a priori power analysis was conducted using statistical software (G*Power 3.1.9.2, Dusseldorf, Germany) to determine the minimum sample size required to find statistical significance. With a desired power of 0.80, an alpha of level of 0.05, and a moderate effect size of 0.25 [ 39 , 40 ], it was determined that 24 participants would be required. Using word-of-mouth and email, participants were recruited from Texas Woman’s University and the University of North Texas.…”