Acute effects of half-marathon and aronia juice on lipid and hematological parameters, muscle function and oxidative status in male runners

Ana Pantović Orcid logo ,
Ana Pantović

Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade , Belgrade , Serbia

Vuk Stevanović Orcid logo ,
Vuk Stevanović

Group for Nutrition and Metabolism, Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade , Belgrade , Serbia

Irena Krga Orcid logo ,
Irena Krga

Group for Nutrition and Metabolism, Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade , Belgrade , Serbia

Marija Takić Orcid logo ,
Marija Takić

Group for Nutrition and Metabolism, Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade , Belgrade , Serbia

Nevena Vidović Orcid logo
Nevena Vidović
Contact Nevena Vidović

Group for Nutrition and Metabolism, Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade , Belgrade , Serbia

Published: 23.01.2025.

Volume 17, Issue 1 (2025)

pp. 45-54;

https://doi.org/10.31382/eqol.250605

Abstract

The present cross-over study investigated whether a half-marathon race might impose changes in lipid profile, muscle function, hematological parameters, and oxidative status in 10 amateur male runners and whether polyphenol-rich aronia juice may counteract these potential alterations.

Subjects (age 30.8 ± 2.3 years) ran a simulated half-marathon race (21.1 km), after they had consumed breakfast with 200 mL of aronia juice/placebo on two occasions separated by one week. Blood samples were taken at baseline, 15 min, 1 h, and 24 h after the run. 

Results revealed a significant increase in the levels of total, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides immediately after the run (by 6.97%, 9.23%, and 38.46%, respectively), which tended to return to the baseline values after 24 hours. The activity of lactate dehydrogenase increased significantly after the race and started decreasing 24h after the race, still being 16.18% higher compared with the baseline. The run induced a marked increase in total number of leukocytes, and granulocytes, with an eventual return to the baseline levels.

The obtained results suggest that a half-marathon run is intense enough to cause lipid mobilization, muscle damage and compromise the immune response in recreational male runners. Acute aronia juice intake was not sufficient to attenuate the observed changes.

Keywords

References

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Funding Statement

This work was supported by the Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation of the Republic of Serbia (contract number 451-03-66/2024-03/200015)

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