The Effect of New Zealand Blackcurrant (NZBC) Supplementation on Recovery Following Strenuous Exercise

Overview

The study aims to examine the effect of a New Zealand blackcurrant (NZBC) supplement on markers of muscle damage and recovery following strenuous resistance exercise. The investigation will compare responses between an experimental (NZBC capsule, 300 mg/day) and placebo (PLA capsule, 300 mg sugar) group. Participants will attend a screening session where they will consent to the study, complete a pre-activity medical questionnaire and have their height, weight and resting blood pressure measured. If the participants meet the inclusion criteria they will perform a familarisation session on the muscle strength assessment. Participants will be randomized to NZBC or placebo groups, and consume one capsule in the morning (between 6-10 am) for 12 days. This is a double-blinded study, which means that the participant and the study team will not know which group the participants are assigned to until the study is over. On day 8 participants will perform a strenuous bout of upper body resistance exercise on the isokinetic dynamometer (exercise device). Muscle strength and soreness, arm circumference, and elbow range of motion will be measured, and a fasted blood sample will be collected, before and 24, 48, 72 & 96 hours after the muscle fatigue protocol (on days 9, 10, 11 & 12). A marker of muscle damage (creatine kinase [CK] concentration) will be measured in the blood samples. Participants will also be asked to complete a 6-day dietary record, beginning on day 7 and ending on the final day of testing (day 12).

Full Title of Study: “The Effect of New Zealand Blackcurrant (NZBC) Supplementation on Indices of Muscle Damage Following Strenuous Exercise”

Study Type

  • Study Type: Interventional
  • Study Design
    • Allocation: Randomized
    • Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
    • Primary Purpose: Prevention
    • Masking: Double (Participant, Investigator)
  • Study Primary Completion Date: September 1, 2018

Interventions

  • Dietary Supplement: New Zealand blackcurrants (NZBC)
    • NZBC capsules containing anthocyanin-rich blackcurrant extract
  • Dietary Supplement: Placebo (PLA)
    • Placebo capsules containing microcrystalline cellulose

Arms, Groups and Cohorts

  • Experimental: New Zealand blackcurrants (NZBC)
    • 1 NZBC capsule (containing 300 mg active cassis containing 105 mg of anthocyanins, i.e. 35-50 % delphinidin-3-rutinoside, 5-20 % delphinidin-3-glucoside, 30-45 % cyanidin-3-rutinoside, 3-10 % cyanidin-3-glucoside), consumed in the morning, for 12 days.
  • Placebo Comparator: Placebo (PLA)
    • 1 placebo capsule (containing 300 mg microcrystalline cellulose M102), consumed in the morning, for 12 days.

Clinical Trial Outcome Measures

Primary Measures

  • Change from baseline in creatine kinase (CK) concentration at 72 hours post-exercise
    • Time Frame: At baseline (pre-exercise) and 72 hours post-exercise.
    • Serum biomarker for muscle damage
  • Change from baseline in creatine kinase (CK) concentration at 96 hours post-exercise
    • Time Frame: At baseline (pre-exercise) and 96 hours post-exercise..
    • Serum biomarker for muscle damage

Secondary Measures

  • Change in maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) from baseline to 96 hours post-exercise
    • Time Frame: At baseline (pre-exercise) and post-exercise time points (at 0, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours respectively).
    • Muscle function measure; maximal voluntary isometric contraction (torque, Nm) performed on isokinetic dynamometer
  • Change in rating of Delayed Onset of Muscle Soreness (DOMS) from baseline to 96 hours post-exercise
    • Time Frame: At baseline (pre-exercise) and post-exercise time points (at 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours respectively).
    • Self-reported perception of muscle soreness using a visual analogue scale (VAS), from ‘no soreness’ [0 mm] on the left anchor point to ‘extremely sore’ [100 mm] on the right
  • Change in joint range of motion (ROM) from baseline to 96 hours post-exercise
    • Time Frame: At baseline (pre-exercise) and post-exercise time points (at 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours respectively).
    • Elbow ROM measured using a goniometer
  • Change in mid arm circumference (MAC) from baseline to 96 hours post-exercise
    • Time Frame: At baseline (pre-exercise) and post-exercise time points (at 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours respectively).
    • Mid-upper arm circumference measured at the midpoint of the distance from the acromion process (acromiale) to the olecranon process (radiale).

Participating in This Clinical Trial

Inclusion Criteria

  • Males and Females – 18 – 45 years old – BMI: 19 – 29.9 kg/m2 – Healthy: no active disease process that could interfere with endpoints measured as determined by medical history Exclusion Criteria:

  • Smoking and tobacco use – Takes medication [excluding contraception] – BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 – Hypertensive (diastolic > 90 and/or systolic blood pressure > 140 mmHg) – History of musculoskeletal upper limb injuries – Performs regular resistance exercise (> 2 sessions per week) – Uses dietary supplements that could influence muscle recovery or function (e.g. protein supplements, antioxidants etc)

Gender Eligibility: All

Minimum Age: 18 Years

Maximum Age: 45 Years

Are Healthy Volunteers Accepted: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Investigator Details

  • Lead Sponsor
    • University of Surrey
  • Provider of Information About this Clinical Study
    • Sponsor
  • Overall Official(s)
    • Julie EA Hunt, PhD, Principal Investigator, University of Surrey

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