Cote, K., Connolly, A. J., McHugh, M. P., & Padilla-Zakour, O. (2006). The efficacy of cherry juice supplementation in preventing the symptoms of exercise-induced muscle damage. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 38(5), Supplement abstract 2243.

"Numerous antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents have been identified in tart cherries." The purpose of this study was to test the efficacy of supplementation with a tart cherry beverage in preventing the symptoms of exercise-induced muscle damage. Male colleges students (N = 14) consumed 16 fl oz of cherry juice, or a placebo, twice per day for eight consecutive days. A bout of eccentric elbow flexion contractions was performed on the fourth day of supplementation. Isometric elbow flexion strength, pain, muscle tenderness and relaxed elbow angle were recorded before, and for four days following the eccentric exercise. The protocol was repeated two weeks later with Ss consuming the other beverage relative to what they took initially. The opposite arm performed the eccentric exercise for the second bout to avoid the repeated bout protective effect.

Strength loss and pain were significantly lower with cherry juice supplementation versus the placebo drink. Relaxed elbow angle and muscle tenderness were unaffected by cherry juice supplementation.

Implication. Cherry juice supplementation decreases some symptoms of exercise-induced muscle damage including strength loss.

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