2.2. Study Design
muscle soreness, EIMD, digestive disorders
DIGESTIVE DISORDERS
This study was carried out in a crossover, randomized, and double-blinded manner. Before the beginning of the investigation, the participants underwent a familiarization session. During this session, participants were familiarized with all testing protocols and procedures. Moreover, before data collection, sensitivity to BRJ and PLA was tested by ingesting 50 mL of the respective supplementation. The first phase of the research took place 48 h after the supplementation sensitivity test. This phase included two sessions. The first session was composed of EIMD, while the second session included the performance of functional tests. Two of the volunteers withdrew from the study due to digestive disorders caused by BRJ supplementation. In total, 6 participants consumed 50 mL of BRJ and the other 6 participants ingested 50 mL of PLA at 2, 6, 10, 14, 26, 30, 34, and 38 h after EIMD (400 mL per two days). Functional tests were performed 48 h after EIMD. Furthermore, the perceived muscle soreness was recorded at 12 (MS-12), 24 (MS-24), and 48 (MS-48) hours after EIMD. In the second stage, EIMD, supplementation, and functional tests were performed during 2 sessions similar to the first stage (with the replacement of BRJ and PLA members). In order to reduce the influence of hormonal variations during the menstrual cycle on variables of interest, the EIMD, supplementation, and functional tests were performed during the late follicular phase (10 days after the start of menstruation). The menstrual cycle status for each individual was determined through the Menstrual Cycle Questionnaire [