The Effects of Blueberry Supplementation on Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage: 2918 Board #201 June 1 3

Blueberries have been reported to possess several anti-inflammatory properties. Previous studies examining the anti-inflammatory effect of blueberries on acute inflammation caused by exercise-induced muscle damage are largely inconclusive. This may be due to the dose used in these studies not accounting for an individual’s lean mass (LM), the compartment directly involved during exercise, when determining appropriate blueberry dosage. PURPOSE: To examine the effect of blueberry supplementation (BB) at a dose relative to LM on delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and recovery. METHODS: Fourteen recreationally active women (age: 21±1yr; body fat: 24.8±4.5%) participated in this double blind, matched-pairs study. Participants were matched by LM and randomly assigned to either a BB or a placebo (PLA) group. Leg strength was assessed via one-repetition maximum (1RM) on a leg press. Participants consumed a daily dose of freeze-dried BB powder (1.6g BB/kgLM) or a PLA (1.6g PLA/kgLM) for 7 days prior to induction of DOMS. Participants completed 6 sets of 10 repetitions at 70% 1RM on the leg press to induce DOMS. Perceived soreness (questionnaire), pressure-pain threshold (dolorimeter), and average power (AP; Biodex™) of the right thigh muscles were assessed immediately before (PRE) and after (POST), 24, 48, and 72h post induction of DOMS. Repeated measures ANOVAs were used for analyses. Significance was set at p<0.05. RESULTS: There were no group x time interactions for perceived soreness, pressure-pain threshold, and AP, however, significant time effects were observed for these variables. When comparing pre to post 24hr (p<0.001), 48hr (p=0.001), and 72hr (p=0.011) perceived soreness of the thigh muscles significantly increased. Pressure-pain threshold of the thigh muscles decreased significantly from pre to post 24hr (p=0.023), 48hr (p=0.001), and 72hr (p=0.024. Isokinetic leg extension AP decreased from pre to post 24hr (BB: 83±17 to 76±22Nm; PLA: 85±21 to 79±26Nm; p=0.02). CONCLUSION: Consumption of BB for 7 days prior to DOMS induction on a leg press does not affect rating of perceived soreness, pain threshold, nor attenuate decreases in performance compared to a PLA in recreationally active women.