Abstract
BackgroundAffective responses experienced during exercise are a significant determinant on exercise adherence. We have previously demonstrated that consumption of New Zealand (NZ) blackcurrants preserves cognition by attenuating the feeling of fatigue. This positive affective response correlated with the ability of blackcurrant polyphenols to support monoamine neurotransmission via inhibition of monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) activity. Here we explore how the consumption of a NZ blackcurrant juice (BJ) influenced affective responses and potential ergogenic action on the motivation to adhere to a low impact walking exercise.MethodsIn a parallel randomized controlled study (Trial registration #: ACTRN12617000319370p, registered 28th February 2017, http://www.anzctr.org.au/), 40 healthy sedentary male and female participants drank a BJ or matched placebo (PLA) (n = 20 per group), 1 h prior to a self-motivated treadmill walk, where heart rate and affective responses (exertion [ES] or feeling / mood [FS]) scores) were recorded at 3 or 5 min intervals. Blood glucose, lactate, malondialdehyde (MDA) and platelet MAO-B activity were measured pre- and post-exercise and comparisons were conducted using with Student’s t-tests. Subjective data were analysed using 2-way ANOVA with appropriate post hoc tests.ResultsConsuming a BJ 1 h prior to exercise caused a 90% decline in platelet MAO-B activity. The exercise had no significant (p > 0.05) effect on blood lactate, glucose or plasma MDA levels. Assessment of affective responses over the first 60 mins (adjusting for participant drop-out) revealed a time-dependent ES increase in both groups, with ES reported by participants in the BJ group consistently lower than those in the PLA group (p < 0.05). FS declined in PLA and BJ groups over 60 mins, but an inverse relationship with ES was only observed within the PLA group (r2 = 0.99, p = 0.001). Whilst the average time walked by participants in the BJ group was 11 mins longer than the PLA group (p = 0.3), and 30% of the BJ group achieving > 10 km compared to only 10% for the PLA group (p = 0.28), statistical significance was not achieved.ConclusionOur findings demonstrate that drinking a polyphenolic-rich NZ blackcurrant juice 1 h prior to exercise supports positive affective responses during a self-motivated exercise.
Highlights
Affective responses experienced during exercise are a significant determinant on exercise adherence
The preservation in cognitive performance was speculated to be mediated by the ability of blackcurrant-derived polyphenolic compounds to modulate monoamine neurotransmitters via the inhibition of monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) [17]. We extend upon this current knowledge to explore the efficacy of timed consumption of a polyphenolic-rich juice made from New Zealand blackcurrants on the affective response in healthy sedentary individuals while they perform a self-motivated low impact walk on a treadmill designed not to induce peripheral fatigue or pain
Walking compliance and distance In this study, we found that none of the participants requested to stop once they had commenced the walking exercise, and with the exception of three participants in the blackcurrant juice (BJ) group who walked for 2 h, the exercise for other participants was terminated after they indicated a feeling scores (FS) of zero or below for three consecutive time-points
Summary
Affective responses experienced during exercise are a significant determinant on exercise adherence. We have previously demonstrated that consumption of New Zealand (NZ) blackcurrants preserves cognition by attenuating the feeling of fatigue This positive affective response correlated with the ability of blackcurrant polyphenols to support monoamine neurotransmission via inhibition of monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) activity. Regular and appropriate exercise is associated with the prevention of chronic health problems such as heart disease and Type 2 diabetes [1,2,3] and with an increase in physical and mental functional abilities [4, 5]. To attain these protective and beneficial health effects, exercising daily for at least 30 min (mins) at a moderate intensity is recommended [3]. Identifying foods or dietary supplements that support the desire to exercise daily will enable an individual to adhere to an exercise program and maintain an active and healthy lifestyle
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