Sand training : Exercise-induced muscle damage and inflammatory responses to matched-intensity exercise
- Authors: Brown, Henry , Dawson, Brian , Binnie, Martyn , Pinnington, Hugh , Sim, Marc , Clemons, Tristan , Peeling, Peter
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: European Journal of Sport Science Vol. 17, no. 6 (2017), p. 741-747
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- Description: This study compared markers of muscle damage and inflammation elevated by a matched-intensity interval running session on soft sand and grass surfaces. In a counterbalanced, repeated-measures and crossover design, 10 well-trained female athletes completed 2 interval-based running sessions 1 week apart on either a grass or a sand surface. Exercise heart rate (HR) was fixed at 83–88% of HR maximum. Venous blood samples were collected pre-, post- and 24 h post-exercise, and analysed for myoglobin (Mb) and C-reactive protein (CRP). Perceptual ratings of exertion (RPE) and muscle soreness (DOMS) were recorded immediately post- and 24 h post-exercise. A significant time effect showed that Mb increased from pre- to post-exercise on grass (p =.008) but not on sand (p =.611). Furthermore, there was a greater relative increase in Mb on grass compared with that on sand (p =.026). No differences in CRP were reported between surfaces (p >.05). The HR, RPE and DOMS scores were not significantly different between conditions (p >.05). These results suggest that in response to a matched-intensity exercise bout, markers of post-exercise muscle damage may be reduced by running on softer ground surfaces. Such training strategy may be used to minimize musculoskeletal strain while still incurring an equivalent cardiovascular training stimulus. © 2017 European College of Sport Science.
Effect of tart cherry juice on recovery and next day performance in well-trained Water Polo players
- Authors: McCormick, Rachel , Peeling, Peter , Binnie, Martyn , Dawson, Brian , Sim, Marc
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition Vol. 13, no. 1 (2016), p. 1-8
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- Description: Background: Tart Montmorency cherries contain high concentrations of phytochemicals and anthocyanins, which have recently been linked to improved athletic recovery and subsequent performance. To date however, previous work reporting promising results has focused on land-based endurance sports, with any potential benefits to team sports remaining unknown. As such, this investigation set-out to examine the effect of supplemental tart cherry juice (CJ) on recovery and next day athletic performance in highly-trained water-based team sport athletes over seven days. Methods: In a randomised, double-blind, repeated measures, crossover design, nine male Water Polo athletes were supplemented with CJ or a placebo equivalent (PLA) for six consecutive days. Prior to, and at the completion of the supplementation period, water-based performance testing was conducted. On day 6, participants also undertook a fatiguing simulated team game activity. Venous blood samples were collected (Pre-exercise: day 1, 6 and 7; Post-exercise: day 6) to investigate markers of inflammation [Interleukin-6 (IL-6); C-reactive protein (CRP)] and oxidative stress [Uric Acid (UA); F2-Isoprostane (F2-IsoP)]. A daily diary was also completed (total quality of recovery, delayed onset muscle soreness) as a measure of perceptual recovery. Results: In both conditions, day 6 post-exercise IL-6 was significantly higher than pre-exercise and day 7 (p<0.05); CRP was greater on day 7 as compared to day 6 pre- and post-exercise (p<0.05); F2-IsoP was significantly lower on day 7 as compared to day 1 and day 6 (p<0.05); UA remained unchanged (p>0.05). No differences were found for any performance or recovery measures. Conclusions: The lack of difference observed in the blood markers between groups may reflect the intermittent, non-weight bearing demands of Water Polo, with such activity possibly unable to create a substantial inflammatory response or oxidative stress (over 7 days) to impede performance; thereby negating any potential beneficial effects associated with CJ supplementation. Trial registration: This trial was registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR). Registration number: ACTRN12616001080415. Date registered: 11/08/2016, retrospectively registered. © 2016 The Author(s).