Anthocyanins have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties, and have been shown to
promote recovery following exercise. However, their effect on physiological responses during
rest and exercise in trained individuals is unknown. Therefore, this PhD thesis examined this using anthocyanins from New Zealand blackcurrant (NZBC) in seven experiments.

Following a 7-day intake of NZBC powder, stroke volume increased by 25%, cardiac
output increased by 26% while total peripheral resistance was lower by 16% at rest. With NZBC, there were no changes in cardiovascular function during incremental cycling up to 80% V̇ O2max, however, plasma lactate was lower at 30%, 40%, 50%, 60% and 70% V̇ O2max by 25%, 27%, 22%, 17% and 13%. In addition, the intensity at 1 mmol∙L-1 lactate rise was 5% higher (NZBC: 193±52, PL 184±52 W, P=0.018) and at 4 mmol∙L-1 OBLA was 6% higher (NZBC: 236±60, PL 223±57 W, P=0.007).

NZBC extract capsules improved 16.1 km time-trial performance by 2.4% (NZBC:
1678±108, PL: 1722±131 s, P=0.028). Lactate was higher with NZBC extract immediately
following the time-trial (NZBC: 7.06±1.73, PL: 5.92±1.58 mmol∙L-1 P<0.01) and total lactate
decreases were higher after 20 minutes of passive recovery following the time-trial (NZBC:
4.51±1.46, PLA: 3.69±1.08, mmol∙L-1, P=0.031). There was a trend for whole-body fat oxidation
to be 15% and 13% higher following NZBC at 45% and 55% V̇ O2max, respectively. At 65%
V̇ O2max, fat oxidation was 27% higher following NZBC (NZBC: 0.44± 0.12, PL: 0.37±0.15 g∙min�1, P=0.044) with a strong trend for carbohydrate oxidation to be lower. There was no difference in plasma lactate, heart rate or energy expenditure at any intensity.

Dose-response changes were measured following 0, 300, 600 and 900 mg∙day-1 of
NZBC. There was no effect of NZBC on resting systolic or diastolic blood pressure and heart rate for any dose, however, there were decreases of 8% and 15% in mean arterial pressure between 0 and 600 mg∙day-1 and 300 and 900 mg∙day-1, respectively. Cardiac output increased by 15 and 28% and stroke volume by 7 and 18% between 0 and 600, and 900 mg∙day-1, respectively. Total peripheral resistance decreased by 20% for both 600, and 900 mg∙day-1. The dose responses were also examined on physiological responses during 120 minutes cycling at 65% V̇ O2max. There was a 21.5% and 24.1% increase in fat oxidation and 11.5% and 10.7% decrease in carbohydrate oxidation for 600 and 900 mg∙day-1 NZBC extract, respectively, compared to 0 mg∙day-1.

NZBC (600 mg, ~210 mg anthocyanin) had no affect on maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) of the knee extensors. While producing ~30% of the MVC force for 120 seconds, systolic and diastolic pressure, mean arterial pressure and total peripheral resistance were lower, while cardiac output and stroke volume were increased by NZBC. In addition, the muscle activation of the Vastus Medialis and muscle oxygen saturation were lower, while total haemoglobin was higher following NZBC. Femoral artery diameter during the sustained isometric contraction was increased with NZBC at 30 (P=0.009), 60 (P=0.003), 90 (P=0.021) and 120 seconds (P=0.022), increases of 6.9%, 8.2%, 7.7% and 6.0%, respectively.

In conclusion, New Zealand blackcurrant influences cardiovascular function at rest,
lactate responses during incremental exercise, substrate utilisation, performance in a cycling 16.1 km time trial and femoral artery diameter during submaximal isometric exercise.