Redox and autonomic responses to acute exercise-post recovery following Opuntia ficus-indica juice intake in physically active women

Figures & data

Fig. 1 Study design. The subjects were randomly divided into 2 groups and randomly assigned to either a supplementation of 50 ml of concentred peeled fresh fruit juice of Sicilian OFI, which was diluted to 170 ml with water, or 170 ml of Placebo (PL), for 5 days. One week before starting the supplementation, each participant performed the first maximal effort test (BL). The participants consumed OFI or Placebo for 3 days before the second maximal effort test and continued to take it for 2 consecutive days after the testing procedure. After a 2 week wash out period, the treatments were reversed

Table 1 Physiological parameters measured during the cycle ergometer test

Fig. 2 Changes in plasma hydroperoxide levels in response to OFI or PL supplementation before and immediately, 24 h and 48 h after a maximal effort test. *p < 0.05 OFI pre-, post- and 48 h post-test vs. corresponding PL groups; #p < 0.05 OFI pre-test vs post-test and 24 h post-test; §p < 0.05 OFI 24 h post-test vs 48 h post-test

Fig. 3 Measurement of plasma antioxidant capacity following OFI or PL supplementation before,immediately after, 24 h and 48 h after a maximal effort test. *p < 0.05 OFI pre- and 48 h post-test vs corresponding PL groups; #p < 0.05 OFI pre-test vs post-test and 24 h post-test; §p < 0.05 OFI post-test vs 48 h post-test; ˆp < 0.05 OFI 24 h post-test vs 48 h post-test

Fig. 4 Variations in Skin Carotenoid Score based on the Resonance Raman Spectroscopy following OFI or PL supplementation before, immediately after, 24 h and 48 h after a maximal effort test. §p < 0.05 OFI post-test vs 24 h-post-test and 48 h post-test

Table 2 Changes in HRV between Placebo and OFI group after the cycle ergometer test

Availability of data and materials

The datasets used and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.