Effect of pomegranate fruit supplementation on performance and various markers in athletes and active subjects: a systematic review

Author(s):  
Alicja Urbaniak ◽  
Anna Skarpańska-Stejnborn

Abstract. The aim of the study was to review recent findings on the use of POM supplements in athletes of various disciplines and physically active participants. Eleven articles published between 2010 and 2018 were included, where the total number of investigated subjects was 176. Male participants constituted the majority of the group (n = 155), as compared to females (n = 21). 45% of research described was conducted on athletes, whereas the remaining studies were based on highly active participants. Randomised, crossover, double-blind study designs constituted the majority of the experimental designs used. POM supplementation varied in terms of form (pills/juice), dosage (50 ml–500 ml) and time of intervention (7 days–2 months) between studies. Among the reviewed articles, POM supplementation had an effect on the improvement of the following: whole body strength; feeling of vitality; acute and delayed muscle fatigue and soreness; increase in vessel diameter; blood flow and serum level of TAC; reduction in the rate of increase for HR, SBP, CK and LDH; support in the recovery of post-training CK, LDH, CRP and ASAT to their baseline levels; reduction of MMP2, MMP9, hsCRP and MDA; and increased activity of antioxidant enzymes (glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase). In the majority of reviewed articles POM supplementation had a positive effect on a variety of parameters studied and the authors recommended it as a supplement for athletes and physically active bodies.

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zsolt Turi ◽  
Espen Bjørkedal ◽  
Luisa Gunkel ◽  
Andrea Antal ◽  
Walter Paulus ◽  
...  

Inactive interventions can have significant effects on cognitive performance. Understanding the generation of these cognitive placebo/nocebo effects is crucial for evaluating the cognitive impacts of interventional methods, such as non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS). We report both cognitive placebo and nocebo effects on reward-based learning performance induced using an active sham NIBS protocol, verbal suggestions and conditioning in 80 healthy participants. Whereas our placebo manipulation increased both expected and perceived cognitive performance, nocebo had a detrimental effect on both. Model- based analysis suggests manipulation-specific strategic adjustments in learning-rates: Participants in the placebo group showed stronger learning from losses and reduced behavioral noise, whereas in the nocebo group stronger learning from gains and increased behavioral noise. We conclude that experimentally induced expectancy can impact cognitive functions of healthy adult participants. This has important implications for the use of double-blind study designs that can effectively maintain blinding in NIBS studies.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Kursawe ◽  
Dominik Stunder ◽  
Thomas Krampert ◽  
Andrea Kaifie ◽  
Sarah Drießen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background In the course of the ongoing transition of electric energy systems, transmission corridors are often upgraded to higher voltages and other technologies leading to another quality of human exposure. The study aims to determine human detection thresholds for direct current (DC), alternating current (AC), and hybrid electric fields (various DC; constant AC). Methods A total of 203 participants were exposed to DC, AC, and hybrid electric fields (EFs) in a highly specialized whole-body exposure laboratory using a double-blind experimental setting. Additionally, the participants were exposed to ion currents in part of the DC and hybrid sessions. To investigate environmental influences, relative humidity was changed in two subgroups during EF perception. Methods derived from the signal detection theory and the adaptive staircase procedure based on the single interval adjustment matrix were used to assess individual sensitivity and detection thresholds, respectively. Results The results indicated that detection thresholds of hybrid EF were lower compared to single EF presentation of DC or AC. Ion current exposure enhanced EF perception. High relative humidity facilitated DC EF perception, whereas low relative humidity reinforced the perception of AC EFs. Conclusions With this systematic investigation of human perception of DC, AC, and hybrid EFs, detection thresholds were provided, which can help improve the construction processes of energy transmission systems and the prevention of unwanted sensory perception by contributing to the determination of limit values.


1987 ◽  
Vol 57 (03) ◽  
pp. 326-328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ph Vague ◽  
I Juhan-Vague ◽  
M C Alessi ◽  
C Badier ◽  
J Valadier

SummaryWe have previously observed a positive correlation between Plasminogen Activator Inhibition capacity (PA Inhibition), Body Mass Index (BMI) and plasma insulin levels in a population of non diabetic subjects. The anti diabetic biguanide Metformin which decreases insulin resistance has been reported to increase the blood fibrinolytic activity. Therefore we have studied the effect of Metformin on PA Inhibition levels in obese subjects with normal glucose tolerance. Eighteen obese women (O) (BMI: 31.4 ± 1.13, m ± S.E.M.) were compared to age matched controls (C) (BMI: 20.2 ± 0.8) and randomized to a 15 days treatment by Metformin (M) (1.7 g/day) or placebo (P) in a double blind study while on a weight maintaining diet. O compared to C had higher levels (m ± S.E.M.) of PA Inhibition (9 ± 1.8 IU/ml, versus 2.88 ± 0.29 p <0.01), lower euglobulin fibrinolytic activity (EFA) (4.95 ±1.17 mm versus 9 ± 0.29 p <0.05), higher plasma insulin (24.1 ±2.1. uU/ml), versus 12 ± 1 p <0.01) and triglyceride (1.32 ± 0.16 mmol/1, versus 0.8 ± 0.08 p <0.05). After 15 days of treatment, in group M a significant decrease in PA Inhibition (5.51 ± 1.4, versus 9.48 ±2.1 p <0.05) in plasma insulin (18.5 ±0.1, versus 24.5 ± 3.5, p <0.05) and plasma triglyceride (1.08 ± 0.1, versus 1.47 ± 0.3 p <0.05) and an increase in EFA (6.50 ± 0.28, versus 5.25 ± 0.35 p <0.05) were observed. No significant variation was observed in group P.


1967 ◽  
Vol 18 (03/04) ◽  
pp. 766-778 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. J Knieriem ◽  
A. B Chandler

SummaryThe effect of the administration of warfarin sodium (Coumadin®) on the duration of platelet aggregation in vitro was studied. Coumadin was given for 4 consecutive days to 10 healthy adults who were followed over a period of 9 days. The duration of adenosine diphosphate-induced platelet aggregation in platelet-rich plasma, the prothrombin time, and the platelet count of platelet-rich plasma were measured. Four other healthy adults received placebos and participated in a double-blind study with those receiving Coumadin.Although administration of Coumadin caused a prolongation of the prothrombin time to 2 or 21/2 times the normal value, a decrease in the duration of platelet aggregation was not observed. In most individuals who received Coumadin an increase in the duration of platelet aggregation occurred. The effect of Coumadin on platelet aggregation was not consistently related to the prothrombin time or to the platelet count. In the placebo group there was a distinct relation between the duration of platelet aggregation and the platelet count in platelet-rich plasma.The mean increase in the duration of platelet aggregation when compared to the control value before medication with Coumadin was 37.7%. In the placebo group there was a mean increase of 8.4%. The difference between the two groups is significant (p <0.001). Increased duration of platelet aggregation also occurred in two individuals who received Coumadin over a period of 10 and 16 days respectively.


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