Hibiscus Sabdariffa Extract Effect on Neuromuscular Performance After Intense Resistance Exercise: a Randomized, Placebo-controlled, Crossover Study

Exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) is a transient problem that athletes face after performing more intense and/or prolonged exercise than they are used to. EIMD is accompanied by an increase in the production of reactive oxygen species and a decrease in the antioxidant capacity of the organism. This phenomenon decreases the performance capacity of athletes due to impaired muscle strength and range of motion. Among the strategies to reduce EIMD, the use of nutritional strategies rich in antioxidants such as polyphenols stands out. In this sense, the extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa is particularly rich in polyphenolic antioxidants, among which anthocyanins stand out. Previous studies have concluded that the administration of an extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa can prevent overtraining syndrome by reducing the levels of oxidizing agents and increasing the body's antioxidant defenses. However, despite the fact that Hibiscus sabdariffa extract has been shown to be safe for humans to ingest and have various health benefits, to our knowledge, no studies have evaluated its ability to minimize neuromuscular performance impairment that occurs after performing an intense session of strength training. Based on previous evidence, we hypothesize that supplementation with an extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa will improve neuromuscular performance after performing intense resistance exercise in young (18-35 years) and trained adults, with at least 1 year of experience training. strength. The design of this study is crossover, randomized and placebo controlled, where each individual will act as her own control. The neuromuscular performance parameters to be evaluated will be: i) explosive strength - main variable, in terms of countermovement jump height (CMJ); ii) the maximum dynamic force; and iii) the ability to change direction, all of them 24h and 72h after a high-intensity strength training session. If our hypothesis is confirmed, the results of our study would not only have an impact at a scientific level but also at a commercial level through the development of supplements and/or functional foods.