The Impact of Tart Cherry on Strength, Soreness, and Inflammation Following Strenuous Exercise
Date
2-20-2025
Faculty Mentor
Majid Koozehchian, Kinesiology; Gina Mabrey, Kinesiology
Files
Submission Type
Conference Proceeding
Location
10:15-10:25 am | Houston Cole Library, 11th Floor
Description
Tart cherry supplementation has been in the public eye as a potential strategy to enhance recovery after an intense workout session for some time now. It is highly beneficial for athletes and active individuals seeking to optimize performance while minimizing recovery time. Tart cherry contains a variety of antioxidants that help with inflammation; it also contains melatonin, which aids in sleep. Getting an adequate amount of rest is beneficial in the recovery process. Tart cherry can reduce blood pressure, control blood sugar, boost immune systems, and improve brain function. Tart cherry supplementation has been shown to support recovery by reducing inflammation and enhancing muscle strength. This increases interest among athletes who are interested in natural recovery aids. Tart cherry’s effects on recovery of muscle soreness, strength, power, and inflammation have been linked. Tart cherry supplementation benefits by reducing muscle soreness, improving recovery of strength and power, and diminishing inflammation. Tart cherry supplementation showed minimal effect on decreased muscle soreness. It enhances the recovery of muscular strength. Different exercises, such as muscular strength exercises, jumping, and sprints, have been tested to see the effects of tart cherry. Tart cherry showed moderate recovery of muscular strength and power. It had a large effect on jump height. It has a small effect on sprint performance. Small changes were seen in C-reactive protein (CRP) and Interleukin-6. Reducing inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is important because too much inflammation may make recovery difficult, lower performance, and increase the risk of overtraining or injury. CRP and IL-6 are indicators of systemic inflammation increase in response to heavy exercise, muscle damage, and stress. Tart cherry supplementation is valuable for recovery following major exercise sessions by helping to reduce muscle soreness, improve performance measures, and decrease inflammation. Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents, such as anthocyanins contained in tart cherries, reduce the increase of CRP and IL-6 levels due to the depletion of oxidative stress and a dampened inflammation response. Reduction is critical for recovery in that it allows for quicker muscle recovery, minimizing extended soreness and inhibiting potential long-term inflammation that could delay recovery and interfere with overall athletic function. Tart cherry benefits athletes and those into sports seeking the best ways of recovery and performance. In the future, to find more evidence, studies should explore a wider variety of exercise modalities, such as running, cycling, and swimming, to provide further evidence for the benefits of tart cherry supplementation.
Keywords
student research, kinesiology
Rights
This content is the property of Jacksonville State University and is intended for non-commercial use. Video and images may be copied for personal use, research, teaching or any "fair use" as defined by copyright law. Users are asked to acknowledge Jacksonville State University. For more information, please contact digitalcommons@jsu.edu.
Disciplines
Exercise Science
Recommended Citation
Marbut, Lydia, "The Impact of Tart Cherry on Strength, Soreness, and Inflammation Following Strenuous Exercise" (2025). JSU Student Symposium 2025. 30.
https://digitalcommons.jsu.edu/ce_jsustudentsymp_2025/30
