New Zealand Blackcurrant Extract Affects Running-induced Physiological Responses In A Southeast Asian Female Endurance Athlete

New Zealand blackcurrant (NZBC) provided exercise-induced physiological, metabolic and cardiovascular responses in studies with Caucasian active individuals and case studies in ultra-endurance athletes. PURPOSE: We examined 2-3 weeks before marathon competition effects of 7-day intake of NZBC extract (420 mg of anthocyanins·day-1) during treadmill running in a Southeast Asian female living and training in Thailand (age: 48 years, BMI: 19.3 kg·m-2, VO2max: 44.4 mL·kg-1·min-1, 28 marathons since 2017, 2022 Boston: <3:17). METHODS: Hemodynamic monitoring (PhysioFlow®) and breath-by-breath technology (Cortex Metalyzer 3B) were used during a 60-min (~24.5 °C, relative humidity: ~42%) treadmill run at 50%V O2max (7.5 km·h-1) with blood lactate (Lactate Pro 2) taken 3 min on completion. Study was single-blind and placebo-controlled with a light breakfast 3 hours and the final dose taken 2 hours before the run. RESULTS: With NZBC extract, systemic vascular resistance was lower by 24% (PL: 417 ± 35, NZBC extract: 319 ± 19 dyn·s·cm-5), stroke volume was higher by 9% (PL: 122 ± 9, NZBC extract: 133 ± 8 mL), cardiac output was higher by 10% (PL: 14.39 ± 1.23, NZBC extract: 15.76 ± 0.97 L·min-1), oxygen uptake was higher by 6% (PL: 1202 ± 27, NZBC extract: 1275 ± 21 mL·min-1), carbohydrate oxidation was higher by 43% (PL: 0.419 ± 0.086, NZBC extract: 0.599 ± 0.097 g·min-1), fat oxidation was lower by 7% (PL: 0.437 ± 0.043, NZBC extract: 0.407 ± 0.043 g·min-1), respiratory exchange ratio higher by 0.03 units (PL: 0.78 ± 0.02, NZBC extract: 0.81 ± 0.02) (all P < 0.05), with heart rate similar (PL: 118 ± 3, NZBC extract: 118 ± 2 beats·min-1). Following the run, lactate was lower by 60% (PL: 1.7 ± 0.1, NZBC extract: 0.7 ± 0 mMol·L-1). CONCLUSIONS: Seven-day intake of 420 mg of blackcurrant anthocyanins provided beneficial cardiovascular responses during exercise in a Southeast Asian endurance female athlete with substantial lower lactate on completion of the 1 hour run. Future work is required in marathon-trained athletes whether a high dose (i.e. 420 mg anthocyanins) can provide a nutritional ergogenic effect for marathon athletes to enhance running performance. Supplements were provided by Health Currancy Ltd (UK). Blackcurrant New Zealand Inc (NZ), Health Currancy Ltd (UK) and Sujon berries (NZ) provided funding for conference attendance.