KANNAPOLIS — Appalachian State University researchers are studying the health influence of a juice beverage and are seeking volunteers to participate in the study.
The research is part of the ongoing work by faculty in the College of Health Sciences’ Human Performance Lab located at the N.C. Research Campus. The study is being led by Dr. Amy Knab, an assistant professor in the College of Health Sciences, and Dr. David Nieman, director of the facility.
“This is a very interesting study,” Nieman said. “We have a contract with Dole Foods to test the influence of the ‘Murdock blended juice’ beverage in countering post-workout inflammation, oxidative stress and immune dysfunction in elite swimmers from SwimMac in Charlotte. David H. Murdock developed this blended juice beverage and drinks it on a regular basis, and it is used by clients at his longevity institute in California.”
Murdock is the California billionaire and Dole Food owner who bought the former Pillowtex properties after the mill went bankrupt and is developing the N.C. Research Campus, a life-sciences research center.
Nieman said the drink is rich in polyphenols or plant chemicals such as flavonoids, and may help swimmers get through their workouts in better fashion. Elite swimmers in Charlotte will take the Murdock juice for two weeks pre- and post-workout at the pool.
Their data will be compared with that of healthy males between the ages of 19 and 30 who are being solicited to join the research project. They will operate as a control group. The volunteers must be close to normal weight. Additionally, they must not have a history of exercising vigorously more than 30 minutes per day.
Participants selected for the study will come to the Human Performance Lab at the N.C. Research Campus for a total of five times during the study. During the first visit, they will be tested for maximal aerobic fitness (VO2max) on a cycle ergometer and body composition (percent body fat).
During four additional visits of about 15 minutes each, they will come to the Human Performance Laboratory after fasting overnight to provide blood samples. These blood samples will be tested for immune function, oxidative stress and inflammation markers. This information will be shared with each individual after the study is completed.
Participants’ blood sample data will be compared with data collected from elite swimmers in the Charlotte area. The swimmers will consume a special juice rich in beneficial plant chemicals for two weeks to determine if post-workout inflammation, oxidative stress and immune dysfunction can be attenuated.
The first testing runs through April 18. Blood samples will be taken in April and May. Participants will receive $100 at the end of the study for participation as well as free fitness test information worth $100 and important health data from their blood samples.
To sign up and receive more information, email ASU-NCRC@appstate.edu.