Effects of 7-day polyphenol powder supplementation on cycling performance and lung function in an ozone-polluted environment

Abstract

Purpose Polluted environments can adversely affect lung function and exercise performance. Evidence suggests that some nutrient supplements may offset pollution’s detrimental effects. This study examined the effect of polyphenol supplementation on lung function and exercise performance in an ozone-polluted environment. Methods Ten male cyclists (mean ± SD: age, 43.8 ± 12.4 years; height, 177.8 ± 7.1 cm; weight, 76.03 ± 7.88 kg; VO2max 4.12 ± 0.72 L min−1) initially completed a baseline maximal incremental test and maximal effort 4 km time trial in ambient air. Thereafter cyclists completed two trials in an ozone-polluted environment (0.25 ppm) following seven days of supplementation with either polyphenol (PB) or placebo (PL). Experimental trials consisted of a three-stage submaximal test (50%, 60% and 70% incremental peak power) followed by a 4 km time trial. Lung function was measured pre- and post-exercise via spirometry and adverse respiratory symptoms with a Likert scale. Results Ozone exposure significantly reduced (p < 0.05) lung function relative to ambient air. There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) in measured variables across the three submaximal intensities. There was a small (d = 0.31) non-significant difference (p = 0.09) in 4 km performance in PB (406.43 ± 50.29 s) vs. PL (426.20 ± 75.06 s). Oxygen consumption during the time trial was greater in PB (3.49 ± 0.71 L min−1) vs PL (3.32 ± 0.71 L min−1, p = 0.01, d = 0.24). Cough severity (SOC) was lower (p = 0.03) with PB relative to PL. Conclusion PB supplementation may provide small benefits to performance and reduce cough symptoms during high-intensity exercise in ozone-polluted environments.

Cranberry supplementation improves physiological markers of performance in trained runners

“…Conversely, studies on Montmorency cherry supplementation have shown higher baseline muscle oxygenation, but no effect during a moderate- or severe-intensity exercise bout [ 24 , 25 ]. Similarly, polyphenol supplementation for 7 d was not sufficient to affect any muscle oxygenation metric during a 4-km cycling TT [ 26 ]. When looking at the maximal muscle deoxygenation during exercise, a study on the polyphenols mangiferin and luteolin found that they significantly lowered muscle O 2 levels during a 30-s Wingate test after consumption for 48 h and 15 d, which they attributed to an improved ability of the muscle to extract oxygen [ 27 ], conversely to what we observed.…”

The Effects of Polyphenol Supplementation on BDNF, Cytokines and Cognition in Trained Male Cyclists following Acute Ozone Exposure during High-Intensity Cycling

“…Full details of the exercise testing regimes and exercise endpoints have been reported elsewhere [ 43 ]. In brief, subjects were randomly assigned in a double-blind crossover design to receive either PL or POLY for 7 days prior to exercise and cognitive testing.…”

“…The POLY supplement was a commercially available combination of freeze-dried NZ blackcurrant (94%; Delphinidin-3-0-Glucoside, 176 mg/5 g, Delphinidin-3-0-Rutinoside, 752 mg/5 g, Cyanidin-3-0-Glucoside, 84 mg/5 g, Cyanidin-3-0-Rutinoside, 722 mg/5 g, Total Anthocyanins, 1733.5 mg/5 g), L-theanine (3%), and Pinus radiata extract (3%) (Ᾱrepa™), and was prescribed as a relative dose of 4.3 mg anthocyanins/kg −1 . A berry-flavored powder that contained no vitamin C, active ingredients, or phenolics was used as the PL [ 43 ]. The POLY and PL were equivalent in energy and carbohydrate content (per 5 g—POLY: 15 cal, carbohydrate 3 g, PL: 16 cal, carbohydrate 3.6 g).…”

“…Following 7 days of supplementation, participants completed the experimental protocol [ 43 ]. Participants were weighed when they arrived at the laboratory, and blood samples were drawn.…”