What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to evaluate the effects of Vistula tart cherries on recovery after marathon running, specifically focusing on inflammation and muscle damage markers.

February 14, 2026Open Access

Recovery with vistula tart cherries following a marathon

Key Points

This research aims to evaluate the effects of Vistula tart cherries on recovery after marathon running, specifically focusing on inflammation and muscle damage markers.
Thirty-five recreationally trained marathon runners participated in the study.
Participants were randomized to receive either freeze-dried tart cherry powder or a calorie-matched placebo for 7 days.
Various assessments including maximal voluntary contractions, counter movement jumps, muscle soreness, plasma creatine kinase, and high-sensitive C-reactive protein were conducted at multiple time points.
The marathon was performed on day 5 of the supplementation.
Significant changes in muscle damage and inflammation were observed over time for all variables assessed.
No significant differences were found for maximal voluntary contractions, counter movement jumps, muscle soreness, and creatine kinase between the two groups.
The tart cherry group exhibited lower high-sensitive C-reactive protein levels compared to the placebo group, indicating reduced inflammation.

Abstract

Abstract Purpose Long-distance running induces marked increases in inflammation and muscle damage. Tart cherries (TC) have become a popular nutritional strategy for exercise recovery, particularly for attenuation of markers associated with muscle damage and inflammation. Research question. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of a yet-to-be-explored cultivar (Vistula) of TC on recovery following a marathon. Methods Thirty-five recreationally trained marathon runners (mean ± SD age, stature, and mass were 40 ± 10 years old, 176.5 ± 10.2 cm, and 78.8 ± 13.8 kg, respectively) completed an undulating marathon course. Participants were randomised to receive either freeze-dried TC powder or calorie-matched placebo (17 TC, 18 placebo) for 7 days, with the marathon on day 5 of supplementation. Maximal voluntary contractions (MVC), counter movement jumps (CMJ), muscle soreness (DOMS), plasma creatine kinase (CK), and high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were assessed before, immediately after, and at 24- and 48-h post marathon. Results There were significant changes over time for all variables ( p 0.2). However, there was a treatment effect for hs-CRP, where the TC group experienced lower levels of hs-CRP (mean ± SD during recovery: TC 7.9 ± 3.5, placebo 12.5 ± 5.1 mg/L, p = 0.031). Conclusions The marathon caused changes in muscle damage and inflammation indices. Despite no functional or soreness differences, the TC group showed lower inflammation levels, offering insights into Vistula tart cherries for recovery.

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