Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the effect of red orange juice supplementation (ROJS) on performance, cardiovascular parameters, muscle damage and oxidative stress markers of athletes following exercise under polluted air. Eleven soccer players performed a Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level-1 in polluted area (PA) and non-polluted area (NPA). Participants are invited to drink 500 ml of red orange or placebo (PLA) juice 2.5 h before the test. Blood samples were collected at rest and 3 min after each session to assess creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase, malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant status. Our results showed that, VO
2max
, heart rate and systolic blood pressure post-exercise were significantly altered by pollution with both supplements, but the damage was lowered more with ROJS than PLA. Concerning muscle damage and oxidative stress markers, orange juice supplementation blunted the effect of pollution on CK levels post-exercise (p > 0.05) and decreases significantly (p < 0.05) the MDA levels post-exercise in PA and NPA compared to PLA supplementation. In conclusion, ROJS seemed to be an appropriate strategy to reduce the risk of exposure to pollution especially on muscle damage and oxidative stress markers.