ABSTRACT
Aerobic physical exercise increases the volume of oxygen consumed and, consequently, of reactive oxygen species. The accumulation of these culminates in oxidative stress and susceptibility to muscle damage. Açaí berry contains high concentrations of antioxidants, responsible for reducing oxidative stress. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of chronic consumption of açaí on the muscular damage of street runners. Fourteen male runners were randomly divided into açaí berry (200g daily) or control groups for 25 days. They were evaluated in the pre (M1) and post-intervention period (M2), muscle damage marker (CK) at rest, immediately and 24h post-run, subjective effort perception (PSE) and anthropometry. In M1, there were significant increases of CK after exercise (0h and 24h) in both groups, with no difference between them. After the intervention, a significant reduction of CK 24h was observed in the group that received açaí berry, in relation to M1, demonstrating that chronic consumption of açaí berry prevented muscle damage. There was no significant difference between the anthropometric data and the PSE between the two moments and groups. It was concluded that açaí berry supplementation significantly reduced the CK of street runners in 10km test, however, without altering the PSE and body composition.
Keywords:
Acai; Tracking run; Antioxidant; Muscle damage; Prevention
Fonte: Os autores