Tart Cherry Juice: No Effect on Muscle Function Loss or Muscle Soreness in Professional Soccer Players After a Match

• Published in: International journal of sports physiology and performance 2020-02, Vol.15 (2), p.1-254
• Main Authors: Abbott, William, Brashill, Callum, Brett, Adam, Clifford, Tom
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Fruit juices; Massage; Muscle function; Professional soccer; Soccer
• ISSN: 1555-0265; 1555-0273
• DOI: 10.1123/ijspp.2019-0221

To investigate the effects of tart cherry juice (TCJ) on recovery from a soccer match in professional players. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design, 10 male professional soccer players from the reserve team of an English Premier League Club (age 19 ± 1 y, height 1.8 ± 0.6 m, body mass 77.3 ± 6.4 kg) consumed 2 × 30-mL servings of TCJ or an isocaloric cherry-flavored control drink (CON) before and after a 90-min match, and 12 and 36 h after the match. Muscle function (countermovement jump-height [CMJ], reactive strength index [RSI]), subjective well-being, and subjective muscle soreness (MS) were measured before and 12, 36, and 60 h after each match. CMJ height was similarly reduced in the days after the match after TCJ and CON supplementation, with the greatest loss occurring at 12 h postmatch (-5.9% ± 3.1% vs -5.4% ± 2.9% of baseline values, respectively; = .966, = .010). Decrements in RSI were also greatest at 12 h postmatch (TCJ -9.4% ± 8.4% vs CON -13.9% ± 4.8% of baseline values), but no group differences were observed at any time point ( = .097, = .205). MS increased 12-60 h postmatch in both groups, peaking at 12 h postmatch (TCJ 122 ± 27 mm vs CON 119 ± 22 mm), but no group differences were observed ( = .808, = .024). No interaction effects were observed for subjective well-being ( = .874, = .025). Tart cherry juice did not hasten recovery after a soccer match in professional players. These findings bring into question the use of TCJ as a recovery aid in professional soccer players.