The Effects of Montmorency Tart Cherry Concentrate Supplementation on Recovery Following Prolonged, Intermittent Exercise
Open accessAbstract
This study investigated Montmorency tart cherry concentrate (MC) supplementation on markers of recovery following prolonged, intermittent sprint activity. Sixteen semi-professional, male soccer players, who had dietary restrictions imposed for the duration of the study, were divided into two equal groups and consumed either MC or placebo (PLA) supplementation for eight consecutive days (30 mL twice per day). On day 5, participants completed an adapted version of the Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test (LISTADAPT). Maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC), 20 m Sprint, counter movement jump (CMJ), agility and muscle soreness (DOMS) were assessed at baseline, and 24, 48 and 72 h post-exercise. Measures of inflammation (IL-1-β, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, hsCRP), muscle damage (CK) and oxidative stress (LOOH) were analysed at baseline and 1, 3, 5, 24, 48 and 72 h post-exercise. Performance indices (MVIC, CMJ and agility) recovered faster and muscle soreness (DOMS) ratings were lower in the MC group (p < 0.05). Additionally, the acute inflammatory response (IL-6) was attenuated in the MC group. There were no effects for LOOH and CK. These findings suggest MC is efficacious in accelerating recovery following prolonged, repeat sprint activity, such as soccer and rugby, and lends further evidence that polyphenol-rich foods like MC are effective in accelerating recovery following various types of strenuous exercise.
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Tart cherries contain high concentrations of melatonin and a range of phenolic compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
“Tart cherries contain high concentrations of melatonin and a range of phenolic compounds that have both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties [66,67].”
From Sleep and Nutrition Interactions: Implications for Athletes (2019) · cites this paper as [66]
During recovery, athletes can suffer from delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), which can reduce sleep quantity and quality.
“During recovery athletes can suffer from delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) [66], which can reduce sleep quantity and quality.”
From Sleep and Nutrition Interactions: Implications for Athletes (2019) · cites this paper as [66]
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- Authors
- Bell, P., Stevenson, E., Davison, G., & Howatson, G.
- Affiliations
- GlaxoSmithKline (United Kingdom) (GB)
- Newcastle University (GB)
- University of Ulster (GB)
- North-West University (ZA)
- Corresponding author
- Howatson, Glyn
- Venue
- Nutrients
- Publisher
- MDPI AG
- Published
- 2016-07-22
- Volume
- 8
- Issue
- 7
- Pages
- 441
- ISSN
- 2072-6643 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC4963917
- OpenAlex
- W2483383274
- Cited by
- 148
- References
- 34
- Citations by year
- 2026: 23 · 2025: 16 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 19 · 2020: 20 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 1
- FWCI
- 11.41
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Nutrients (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Rehabilitation › Exercise and Physiological Responses
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Muscle metabolism and nutrition
- Keywords
- post-exercise recovery, soccer players, dietary restriction, muscle soreness, delayed onset muscle soreness, inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-6, oxidative stress, creatine kinase, muscle damage, polyphenols, agility, countermovement jump, Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test
- MeSH terms
- Fruit and Vegetable Juices, High-Intensity Interval Training, Adult, Double-Blind Method, Food Handling, United Kingdom, Humans, Male, Myositis, Running, Soccer, Biomarkers, Oxidative Stress, Muscle, Skeletal, Inflammation Mediators, Prunus, Athletic Performance, Young Adult, Functional Food, Athletes, Myalgia, Sports Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
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