Connolly 2006a.
| Methods | Randomised controlled trial (cross‐over design) Separated by a 14‐day washout |
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| Participants | Setting: laboratory; USA n = 16 men (training status not specified) Mean age vitamin C group 22.3 (SD 3.90) years Mean age placebo group 22.6 (SD 4.6) years Inclusion/exclusion criteria Not specified Authors were contacted via email on 30 October 2013 and again on 26 May 2016 |
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| Interventions |
Intervention Freshly prepared tart cherry juice with commercially available apple juice. One 12 oz bottle of juice provided at least 600 mg phenolic compounds and at least 40 mg of anthocyanins. Each bottle contained approximately 50 to 60 cherries. 2 x 12 oz bottles consumed daily Placebo Unsweetened black cherry Kool‐Aid with added sugar Duration 8 days with a 2‐week washout |
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| Outcomes |
PRIMARY Pain scores were obtained by asking participants to verbally rate their overall discomfort during active elbow flexion and extension with activities of daily living on a scale of 0 to 10 where 0 is "no discomfort whatsoever" and 10 is "extreme pain and discomfort" SECONDARY Maximal isometric strength was tested on a modified seated arm curl bench (preacher) with the upper arm supported by a padded bench in about 45 degrees shoulder flexion. Isometric strength was tested at 3 different elbow flexion angles: 130, 90 and 30 degrees. Muscle tenderness scores were assessed using a standard manual muscle myometer. Measurements were made just proximal to the distal tendon of the biceps. Force was applied via the probe through a 1 cm diameter head until the participant indicated pain or discomfort. |
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| Exercise type | 40 (2 x 20) maximal eccentric contraction of the elbow flexors using a modified preacher curl | |
| Sources of funding | The study was funded by Cherrypharm Inc (West Hartford, Connecticut, USA) The authors of the study each have 2.5% equity in Cherrypharm Inc. |
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| Notes | Authors were contacted on 30 October 2013 to request data for delayed onset muscle soreness and maximal voluntary isometric contraction but did not respond | |
| Risk of bias | ||
| Bias | Authors' judgement | Support for judgement |
| Random sequence generation (selection bias) | Unclear risk | No details specified in the manuscript Authors were contacted via email on 30 October 2013 and again on 26 May 2016 |
| Allocation concealment (selection bias) | Unclear risk | No details specified in the manuscript Authors were contacted via email on 30 October 2013 and again on 26 May 2016 |
| Blinding of participants and personnel (performance bias) All outcomes | Unclear risk | No details specified in the manuscript Authors were contacted via email on 30 October 2013 and again on 26 May 2016 |
| Blinding of outcome assessment (detection bias) All outcomes | Unclear risk | No details provided |
| Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias) All outcomes | High risk | 2 participants withdrew before completion; unclear which group they were in Attrition rate: 12.5% |
| Selective reporting (reporting bias) | High risk | No published protocol available All outcomes reported at all time points Adverse effects of antioxidant supplementation were not reported |
| Other bias | Low risk | Participants were asked to refrain from using anti‐inflammatory medication and other supplements for the duration of the study as well as any form of therapeutic intervention such as massage and ice. Participants who were exposed to any form of resistance training were also excluded |