Effects of anthocyanin-rich blackcurrant extract on cardiovascular and metabolic responses during rest and treadmill running: a case study in an elite national level female Southeast Asian endurance athlete

Willems, M. E. T., Nana, A., Hiranphan, P., Wannasorn, S., Ramyarangsi, P. and Ajjimaporn, A. (2026) Effects of anthocyanin-rich blackcurrant extract on cardiovascular and metabolic responses during rest and treadmill running: a case study in an elite national level female Southeast Asian endurance athlete. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 8. pp. 1-11. ISSN 2624-9367

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Abstract

Introduction: Anthocyanin-rich blackcurrant extract altered exercise-induced metabolic responses (e.g., enhanced fat oxidation) in case studies with Caucasian non-heat acclimatized male endurance athletes. We examined 2–3 weeks before marathon competition the effects of 7-day intake of the extract (i.e., 420 mg of anthocyanins per day) during supine rest and 1 h of moderate-intensity running in an elite national level female Southeast Asian endurance athlete (age: 48 years, BMI: 19.3 kg·m−2, body fat: 21.8%, V
O
2
max
: 44.4 mL·kg−1·min−1, 28 marathons since 2017) living and training outdoors in Thailand.Methods: Non-invasive beat-to-beat hemodynamic monitoring (PhysioFlow®) and breath-by-breath gas technology (Cortex Metalyzer 3B) techniques were used during supine rest and a 1-hour indoor (∼24.5 °C, relative humidity: ∼42%) treadmill run at 50%
˙
V
O
2
max
(7.5 km·h−1) with blood lactate (XPER L1) taken 3 min on completion. Study was single-blind and placebo-controlled with final intake of the extract 2 h before starting the treadmill run.Results: During rest, the blackcurrant extract condition was associated with higher heart rate (+6 bpm), cardiac output (+10%), carbohydrate oxidation (+31%), and respiratory exchange ratio (+0.02 units), with lower systemic vascular resistance (−18%) compared with placebo. Stroke volume, oxygen uptake, and fat oxidation values appeared similar between conditions. During the 1-h treadmill run at 50%
˙
V
O
2
max
, the blackcurrant extract condition was associated with higher stroke volume (+9%), cardiac output (+10%), oxygen uptake (+6%), carbohydrate oxidation (+43%), and respiratory exchange ratio (+0.03 units), with lower systemic vascular resistance (−24%) and fat oxidation (−7%) compared with placebo. Heart rate and rating of perceived exertion values appeared similar between conditions. Post-run lactate concentration was 59% lower in the blackcurrant extract condition (placebo: 1.7 ± 0.1 mMol·L−1; extract: 0.7 ± 0 mMol·L−1).Discussion: This case study provided preliminary observations that a highly endurance-trained elite National Southeast Asian female athlete responded physiologically to the intake of blackcurrant extract. Seven-day intake with 420 mg per day of blackcurrant anthocyanins was associated with alterations in cardiovascular, metabolic, and respiratory responses during rest and moderate-intensity running, including lower post-run lactate concentrations. However, the mechanisms underlying this observation remain unclear and should be interpreted cautiously given the exploratory single-participant design.

Publication Type: Articles
Additional Information: © 2026 Willems, Nana, Hiranphan, Wannasorn, Ramyarangsi and Ajjimaporn.
Uncontrolled Keywords: anthocyanins, endurance, lactate, marathon, running, substrate oxidation
Subjects: G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure > GV201 Physical education and training
G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure > GV557 Sports
G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure > GV557 Sports > GV711 Coaching
Q Science > QP Physiology
Divisions: Academic Areas > Institute of Sport > Area > Exercise Physiology
Research Entities > Centre for Health and Allied Sport and Exercise Science Research (CHASER)
Depositing User: Mark Willems
Date Deposited: 08 Jul 2026 11:23
Last Modified: 08 Jul 2026 11:23
URI: https://eprints.chi.ac.uk/id/eprint/8688

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