Investigation into Vistula tart cherry extract effect on recovery following a marathon.
This data was collected as part of a collaborative PhD project in the department of Sport and Exercise Rehabilitation at Northumbria University, jointly funded by Iprona Lana SpA.
Thirty-five recreationally trained marathon runners (the mean ± SD age, stature and mass were 40 ± 10 years old, 176.5 ± 10.2 cm and 78.8 ± 13.8 kg, respectively) completed an undulating marathon course (Kielder marathon took place 08/10/23). Participants were randomised to receive either a freeze-dried TC powder or calorie-matched placebo (17 TC, 18 placebo) for 7 days, with the marathon occurring on day 5 of the supplementation period. Maximal voluntary contractions (MVC), counter movement jumps (CMJ), muscle soreness (DOMS), plasma creatine kinase (CK) and high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were assessed before, immediately after and at 24- and 48h post marathon.
MVC was measured with a portable strain gauge (MIE Medical Research Ltd., Leeds, UK). All assessments were performed with the participants seated in an upright position. After adjusting the strap to ensure a 90° knee joint angle was attained (verified with a goniometer), participants were instructed to push against the strap with maximal force for a 3 s contraction. The peak value (N) from three maximal contractions (separated by 30 s) was used for analysis.
CMJ height was measured using an Optojump system (Microgate, Bolzano, Italy), which calculated jump height (cm) via flight time. When performing the jumps, participants were instructed to keep their hands on their hips throughout the full movement. Participants were required to descend into a squat and jump vertically with maximum effort. Three maximal efforts were performed, separated by 30 s of passive (standing) recovery, and the average value was used for data analysis.
Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) of the participants lower limbs was assessed via the use of a 200 mm visual analogue scale (VAS). Participants rated their lower limb soreness after performing one squat (at approximately 90° knee flexion) on a line with the far-left end point representing 'no pain' (0 mm) and the far-right end point representing 'extremely painful' (200 mm).
Venous blood samples were collected from a vein at antecubital fossa on four occasions (pre, immediately post, 24 and 48 h post the marathon). Samples were immediately centrifuged (3000 × g) at 4°C for 15 min and the supernatant was aspirated into aliquots and then stored at −80°C until analysis. Serum was later analysed for CK and hs-CRP using an automated device (Cobas c702, Roche Diagnostics, Switzerland), with repeatability coefficient of variation 0.5 %.
