Date of Graduation

5-2022

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Health, Human Performance and Recreation

Advisor/Mentor

McDermott, Brendon P.

Committee Member/Reader

Ganio, Matthew S.

Abstract

Introduction: Researchers have examined the effects of sedentary lifestyles on diminished health outcomes and are pleading individuals to take on a more active lifestyle to prevent these. However, initial efforts to exercise are often dampened by delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and muscle fatigue. This can greatly reduce exercise adherence, making it difficult for individuals to overcome this temporary discomfort. Background: Research has extensively evaluated nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and fruits as anti-inflammatory supplementation to treat DOMS. Berry-derived essences are more highly concentrated in anti-inflammatory substances than regular fruit juices, but there is minimal research on their effects on exercise and DOMS. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of berry essence infused in water on DOMS and muscle function. Methods: To measure its effectiveness, both baseline and supplemented values are compared using an acute heavy resistance exercise protocol (AHREP). 8 participants were brought into the lab for general data collection of their height, weight, body mass index, body composition, and 1-repetition maximum (1RM) for the back squat. A 10-repetition maximum (10RM) was then estimated to indicate the weight at which each participant would complete the AHREP for six sets of ten squats. During baseline collection, participants completed the AHREP, collecting each participant’s rate of perceived exertion (RPE) after each set of squats. Participants returned to the lab 24 and 48 hours following the AHREP to complete muscle soreness and muscle function questionnaires that would quantify each participant’s muscle pain and mobility. They were then given pre-bottled berry-infused water to consume for six weeks. After the supplementation period, participants completed the same AHREP at the same estimated 10RM for weight with RPE gathered after each set. At 24 and 48 hours following the AHREP, participants completed the same muscle soreness and muscle function questionnaires. Results: To identify differences in the two AHREP days, a repeated-measures ANOVA test was performed on recorded RPE values between sets. There were no statistically significant trial differences in RPE regardless of set number (p=0.56). There were no statistically significant set number differences in RPE regardless of trial (p=0.64). There were no statistically significant trial differences at a specific set number (p=0.53). To identify differences between self-reported muscle soreness and muscular function, a paired samples t-test was done. There were no statistically significant differences between muscle soreness for 24-hours (p=0.554) and 48-hours (p=0.379) following AHREP1 and AHREP2. There were no statistically significant differences between muscular function for 24-hours (p=0.417) and 48-hours (p=0.291) following AHREP1 and AHREP2. Conclusion: In our preliminary data, there were no apparent differences between pre-supplementation and post-supplementation in muscle soreness and muscular function in the 24-hour and 48-hour questionnaires. Further research would need to be done to augment the data found in this study, especially to examine if internal inflammation is altered by consumption of the beverage. More participants would be needed to make better conclusive evidence for determining the effectiveness on the WAC beverage on reducing DOMS and muscular function following exercise.

Keywords

muscle soreness; anti-inflammatory; supplementation; muscle function; DOMS; sedentary; exercise

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