Saskatoon Berry Juice for Muscle Recovery

Saskatoon berries are high in polyphenols which are are anti-inflammatory and act as anti-oxidants. They therefore have potential to protect muscle from damage induced by intense exercise. Thirty participants will be randomized to receive Sasaktoon berries (375 ml) or placebo every day for 10 days. On the seventh day participants will perform 6 sets of intense biceps curl exercise. Isometric muscle strength, muscle swelling, and muscle soreness will be assessed before exercise, immediately after exercise, and 24, 48, and 72 hours after the exercise session. We hypothesize the group receiving Saskatoon berries will have faster recovery of muscle strength, and reduction in swelling and muscle soreness after the exercise session.

• Dietary Supplement (Dietary supplement): Saskatoon berries (375 ml)
• Placebo (Dietary supplement): Placebo (375 ml)

Primary outcomes

• Change in isometric biceps strength with a dynamometer (Nm) [72 hours]

Secondary outcomes

• Change in biceps muscle thickness with ultrasound (cm) [72 hours]
• Change in muscle soreness with visual analog scale (score ranges from 0 to 10). No soreness = 0, maximal soreness = 10 [72 hours]

Sex: All, ages: 18 Years to 35 Years, accepts healthy volunteers

Inclusion Criteria:

* Male or female
* aged 18-35y

Exclusion Criteria:

* Conditions that might be affects by exercise as determined by the "Get Active Questionnaire"