New Zealand blackcurrant extract enhances muscle oxygenation during forearm exercise in intermediate-level rock climbers

Fryer, Simon M ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0376-0104, Paterson, Craig ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3125-9712, Perkins, Ian C, Gloster, Chris, Willems, Mark ET and Potter, Julia A (2020) New Zealand blackcurrant extract enhances muscle oxygenation during forearm exercise in intermediate-level rock climbers. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 30 (4). pp. 258-263. doi:10.1123/ijsnem.2019-0365

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Abstract

The delivery to and utilization of oxygenated hemoglobin to the forearm muscles are key determinants of rock-climbing performance. Anthocyanin-rich New Zealand blackcurrant (NZBC) has been suggested to improve blood flow and may enhance forearm endurance performance. As such, a double-blind, randomized crossover design study with 12 participants performed submaximal intermittent contractions (at 40% maximal voluntary contraction) to failure after a 7-day intake of 600 mg/day NZBC extract or placebo. Minimum tissue saturation index (TSI%) was assessed during the contractions. During recovery, time to half recovery of TSI% and brachial artery blood flow were assessed. There was no difference in time to exhaustion between NZBC and placebo. Minimum TSI% was lower with NZBC extract (43 ± 8 vs. 50 ± 11 TSI%; p = .007; Cohen’s d = 1.01). During recovery, there was no effect on brachial artery blood flow. However, time to half recovery was faster with NZBC (26 ± 17 vs. 42 ± 26 s; p = .001; Cohen’s d = 1.3) following exhaustive contractions. Seven days of NZBC extract appears to improve muscle oxygenation during and following contractions with no change in either arterial blood flow or forearm endurance performance.

Item Type:	Article
Article Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Anthrocyanins; Blood flow; Ergogenic aid; Isometric exercise; NIRS; Vasodilation
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure > GV191.2 Outdoor Life. Outdoor recreation. > GV199.44 Rock climbing. R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC1200 Sports Medicine
Divisions:	Schools and Research Institutes > School of Education, Health and Sciences
Research Priority Areas:	Health, Life Sciences, Sport and Wellbeing
Depositing User:	Rhiannon Goodland
Date Deposited:	16 Jun 2020 10:39
Last Modified:	11 Oct 2025 10:30
URI:	https://eprints.glos.ac.uk/id/eprint/8428

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