Sixteen young, healthy, and physically active male college students were randomly assigned to receive either a placebo or NZBC supplement (300 mg/day) for seven days. Short-term NZBC supplementation enhanced athletic performance and effectively reversed inflammation and muscle damage induced by volleyball.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
16
containing edible yellow No. 4, edible yellow No. 5, sucrose, silica, talc, oxidized starch, gelatin, magnesium stearate, and palm wax.
New Zealand Blackcurrant 35% Anthocyanin Extract Powder, Capsule Shell (Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose), Anti-caking Agent (Magnesium Stearate)
China Medical University
Taichung, Taiwan
Grip strength test
Handgrip strength of both hands was evaluated using a digital dynamometer (T.K.K. 5401 GRIP-D, Takei Scientific Instruments Co., Ltd., Niigata, Japan). During testing, participants maintained a standing position with the shoulder abducted at approximately 20°-30° without rotation, the forearm in a neutral position, and both the elbow and wrist in 0° extension. Participants were instructed to exert maximum effort gripping the handle for 5 seconds. Handgrip strength tests were conducted before and after the simulated volleyball matches, as well as during the rest interval between the first and second simulated matches. At each time point, two trials were performed for each hand with a 1-minute rest interval between trials, and the maximum value was recorded in kilograms (kg).
Time frame: 28 days
Counter Movement Jump, CMJ
Vertical jump performance was analyzed using the My Jump 2 application. Participants started from an upright standing position with the body straight, then performed a rapid countermovement followed immediately by a maximal vertical jump. Each participant performed two trials with a 1-minute rest interval between trials, and the best trial was recorded for analysis.
Time frame: 28 days
Agility T-test
Agility was evaluated using the T-test with the BlazePod light-based reaction training system (Play Coyotta Ltd., Tel Aviv, Israel), with time recorded in seconds (s). Course Layout: Point A served as the start line. Point B was placed 9.14 m directly in front of Point A. Points C and D were placed 4.57 m to the left and right of Point B, respectively. Reaction pods were placed at each point. Test Procedure: Timing began upon departure from Point A. Participants were required to touch each pod using their outside hand throughout the trial: Forward Sprint: Sprint forward from A to B and touch pod B. Left Shuffle: Side-shuffle left to C and touch pod C. Right Shuffle: Side-shuffle right past B to D and touch pod D. Return \& Backpedal: Side-shuffle left back to B, touch pod B, then backpedal past A and touch pod A to complete the trial and stop timing.
Time frame: 28 days
Standing spike
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
A designated landing area measuring 1.5 m x 1.5m was set up at a distance of 5 m from the net. The participant stood on a volleyball platform approximately 80 cm high and 1.5 m from the net. The participant was required to toss the ball to an appropriate height (approximately 1 m) and spike it into the designated area. Ball velocity was analyzed and recorded using the Kinovea motion analysis software (Kinovea, open-source video analysis software). Three trials were performed for each test, with a 30-second rest interval between trials.
Time frame: 28 days
Clinical Biochemistry of muscle damage biomarkers and blood glucose
Blood samples were collected at four different time points (one and a half hours before the start of the volleyball special (B), immediately after the simulated volleyball game (E), after the experiment (24 hours), and after the experiment (48 hours). Changes in blood glucose levels were estimated using blood from the fingertips via an Accu-Chek® Guide blood glucose glucometer (Roche, Mannheim, Germany). Muscle damage biomarkers, including creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and uric acid (UA), were measured in the serum. The CK (EC2.7.3.2), LDH (EC 1.1.1.27), and UA (C97792) concentrations were estimated using commercial analytical reagents (Beckman Coulter). An automated clinical chemistry analyzer was used to measure CK and LDH levels on a Beckman Coulter AU5800 (Beckman Coulter Inc., CA, USA).
Time frame: 28 days
Clinical Biochemistry of the inflammatory response
Blood samples were collected at four different time points (one and a half hours before the start of the volleyball special (B), immediately after the simulated volleyball game (E), after the experiment (24 hours), and after the experiment (48 hours). According to the manufacturer's instructions, the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α was analyzed with a commercial ELISA kit (BioLegend, San Diego, CA). An enzyme immunoassay read The absorbance at 450 nm within 15 minutes (Tecan GENios, A-5082, Austria). Concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured using a human ELISA kit (E-80CRP, Immunology Consultants Laboratory, Inc., Newberg, OR, USA). The sample absorbance was read at 450 nm within 30 min.
Time frame: 28 days
Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) Activity
biomarker used to evaluate total antioxidant capacity. Serum SOD activity is measured using a commercial colorimetric assay kit and read with an ELISA plate reader.Unit of Measure: Units per milliliter (U/mL).
Time frame: 28 days
Rating of Perceived Exertion, RPE
This experiment used a version developed by Swedish psychologist Gunnar Borg, using a scale ranging from 6 to 20. During breaks and after each round of a simulated volleyball match, participants were asked to clearly indicate their RPE (Rate of Perceived Effort) on a paper-based scale. The corresponding level was used to determine the participant's current level of exertion and to record this number.
Time frame: 28 days
Visual analogue scale, VAS
The VAS is a pain scale developed by Donna Wong and Connie Baker. Six cartoon faces are drawn on a piece of paper. From left to right, they are: no pain (0), a little pain (2), some pain (4), pain (6), very painful (8), and severe pain (10). Scales from 0 to 10 are marked below the faces, as shown in Figure 6. This scale will be used at three time points: immediately after the simulated volleyball match, and 12, 24, 36, and 48 hours after the match. Please clearly indicate the corresponding face and record it according to the number.
Time frame: At the end of the simulated volleyball match, and 12, 24, 36, and 48 hours after the match, please clearly indicate the corresponding facial expression and record it by number.