No Effects of New Zealand Blackcurrant Extract on Physiological and Performance Responses in Trained Male Cyclists Undertaking Repeated Testing across a Week Period.

Mehmet A. Şahin,Sam D. Blacker,Ben J. Lee,Stefano Montanari,Mark E.T. Willems

doi:10.3390/sports8080114

Abstract

Anthocyanin supplements are receiving attention due to purported benefits to physiological, metabolic, and exercise responses in trained individuals. However, the efficacy of anthocyanin intake over multiple testing days is not known. We compared a placebo and two doses of anthocyanin-rich New Zealand blackcurrant (NZBC) extract (300 and 600 mg·day−1) on plasma lactate, substrate oxidation, and 16.1 km time trial (TT) performance on three occasions over 7-days in a fed state (day 1 (D1), D4, and D7). Thirteen male cyclists participated in a randomized, crossover, placebo-controlled double-blind design. There was no difference in plasma lactate and substrate oxidation between conditions and between days. A time difference was observed between D1 (1701 ± 163 s) and D4 (1682 ± 162 s) for 600 mg (p = 0.05), with an increment in average speed (D1 = 34.3 ± 3.4 vs. D4 = 34.8 ± 3.4 km·h−1, p = 0.04). However, there was no difference between the other days and between conditions. Overall, one week of intake of NZBC extract did not affect physiological and metabolic responses. Intake of 600 mg of NZBC extract showed inconsistent benefits in improving 16.1 km time trial performance over a week period in trained fed cyclists.

Highlights

Anthocyanins are water soluble pigments responsible for the red, blue, and purple color of plants and fruits [1]
The aim of this study was to address the effects of two doses of New Zealand blackcurrant (NZBC) extract (300 and 600 mg) on plasma lactate values, substrate oxidation and performance parameters in fed trained cyclists over a battery of tests to determine duration and dose responses
Volunteers signed an informed consent form and the study was approved by the University of Chichester Research Ethics Committee with procedures conformed to the 2013 Declaration of Helsinki

Summary

Introduction

Anthocyanins are water soluble pigments responsible for the red, blue, and purple color of plants and fruits [1]. The interest in anthocyanins as sport supplements has been growing due to their ability to reduce oxidative stress and decrease post- exercise inflammation [2,3]. Intake of 300 mg·day−1 (105 mg·day−1 anthocyanins) of New Zealand blackcurrant (NZBC) extract for one week improved cycling performance by 2.4% during a 16.1 km time trial (TT) [6]. Other evidence supports the consumption of NZBC extract for 7 days on improving total distance covered during high-intensity intermittent running [7], reducing fatigue, and prolonging time to exhaustion during. It is possible that NZBC might counteract the production of high reactive oxygen species (ROS) during high-intensity exercise, improving calcium handling, and muscle contraction (for a review see [10])

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