Abstract
(1) Background: Mucilage within cacao pods contains high levels of polyphenols. We investigated whether consumption of cacao juice enhances the recovery of muscle function following intensive knee extension exercise. (2) Methods: Ten recreationally active males completed two trials of 10 sets of 10 single leg knee extensions at ~80% one repetition maximum. Participants consumed each supplement (ZumoCacao® juice, CJ or a dextrose drink, PL) for 7 days prior to and 48 h post exercise. Knee extension maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) and a counter movement jump (CMJ) were performed at baseline, immediately, 24 h, and 48 h post-exercise. Venous blood samples were collected at each time point and analyzed for indices of inflammation, oxidative damage, and muscle damage. (3) Results: CMJ height recovered faster with CJ at 24 h and 48 h post-exercise (p < 0.05), but there was no effect of CJ on recovery of MVC (both p > 0.05). There was also no effect of the trial on any blood markers (all p > 0.05). (4) Conclusions: Supplementation with CJ for 7 days prior to and 2 days after intensive knee extensor exercise improved functional recovery as shown by an improved recovery of CMJ up to 48 h post-exercise. However, the precise mechanism of action is unclear and requires further investigation.
Highlights
The use of nutritional supplements is widespread among both elite athletes and recreational sportsmen and women as a means to enhance performance, support rapid recovery between training sessions, and maximize the improvements in performance that are achieved via training [1]
There were no differences in total caloric intake between trials in the 48 h pre and post muscle damage (PL: 2650 ± 191 vs. Cacao juice (CJ): 2752 ± 233, p > 0.05)
There were no differences in carbohydrate (PL: 305 ± 29 vs. CJ: 316 ± 29), lipid (PL: 91 ± 21 vs. CJ: 81 ± 36), or protein
Summary
The use of nutritional supplements is widespread among both elite athletes and recreational sportsmen and women as a means to enhance performance, support rapid recovery between training sessions, and maximize the improvements in performance that are achieved via training [1]. Novel or unaccustomed exercise results in extensive muscle damage with symptoms of muscle soreness and impaired muscle force production persisting for up to two to five days [2,3]. The initial, primary, phase of damage is suggested to occur as a consequence of both the mechanical forces to which the muscle fibers are exposed and oxidative stress due to exercise-induced increases in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) derivatives that exceed the antioxidant defense capacity [7]. A second phase of damage occurs due to the inflammatory response to muscle injury [7]. As a consequence of the apparent role for ROS and NO derivatives in muscle damage, there has been considerable interest in the efficacy of polyphenol supplementation in reducing the symptoms associated with muscle damage due to their anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties [8]
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