Efficacy of a tart cherry juice blend in preventing the symptoms of muscle damage
Connolly DA, McHugh MP, Padilla-Zakour OI, Carlson L, Sayers SP
Published in Br J Sports Med, Vol. 40 (8), pp. 679-83; discussion 683
Methodology
Randomised, placebo-controlled crossover trial in 14 male college students who drank 12 fl oz of a tart cherry juice blend or placebo twice a day for 8 days, with eccentric elbow-flexor exercise on day 4.
Key Findings
Strength loss and pain were significantly lower with cherry juice (time by treatment: strength p<0.0001, pain p = 0.017). Strength loss averaged over four days was 22% with placebo and 4% with cherry juice. Muscle tenderness and relaxed elbow angle did not differ.
Conclusions
The cherry juice blend reduced some symptoms of exercise-induced muscle damage.
Limitations
Very small sample of young men; single-arm eccentric model; juice blend rather than pure tart cherry.
Supplements Studied
Strength loss and pain were significantly less in the cherry juice trial versus placebo
Outcomes Measured
Strength loss and pain were significantly less in the cherry juice trial versus placebo
Strength loss and pain were significantly less in the cherry juice trial
Study Details
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