Figures & data
Table 1 Antioxidant capacity and content of beverages
Table 2 Changes in muscular performance and perceived soreness following eccentric exercise
Figure 1 Isometric torque evaluation after strenuous exercise. [A] Peak and [B] Average isometric torque were assessed pre and 12, 36 and 60 hours after 300 eccentric contractions of the quadriceps under control (♦) or blueberry (■) conditions. Results are expressed as mean ± standard error of percentage change from initial performance evaluation, n = 10 volunteers. * P < 0.001 represents significant difference from initial performance evaluation and § P < 0.05 represents significant treatment (blueberry) x time interaction, n = 10 volunteers.
Figure 2 Modulation of systemic oxidative stress and inflammatory markers after strenuous exercise. [A] Plasma oxidative capacity, [B] protein carbonyls, [C] creatine kinase or [D] interleukin (IL)-6 were assessed immediately before (pre) and then 12, 36 or 60 hours after 300 eccentric contractions of the quadriceps under control (♦) or blueberry (■) conditions. Results are expressed as mean ± standard error of percentage change from pre-eccentric exercise measurements. * P < 0.05 represents significant time difference from pre-exercise levels and § P < 0.05 represents significant treatment (blueberry) and time interaction, n = 10 volunteers.
Figure 3 Plasma total antioxidant potential. Total antioxidant potential was assessed by the ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) [A] before treatment and pre-muscle damaging eccentric exercise in control (filled bars) or blueberry (open bars) groups and [B] pre-treatment (preT) at specific times pre (PreE), 12, 36 or 60 hours following 300 eccentric contractions of the quadriceps in control (♦) or blueberry (■) groups. Results are expressed as either mean ± standard error [A] FRAP μmol/L or [B] % change from pre-treatment values. * P < 0.05 represents significant time difference from pre-treatment exercise levels, § P < 0.05 represents significant treatment (blueberry) x time interaction, n = 10 volunteers.
