2.7. Blood Sampling
BLOOD, FRANKLIN
Two separate blood samples at pre- and post-intervention time points were collected from all participants by a trained phlebotomist for the determination of immunophenotype and cytotoxic function. Participants were instructed to be at least 8 h fasted and all blood samples were collected between 0600 h and 1100 h. Post-intervention blood draws were conducted at the same time as the pre-intervention draw. Prior to the pre-intervention blood draw, participants were asked to complete a 24 h diet log which they were asked to replicate 24 h prior to the post-intervention blood draw. Participants were required to arrive rested, without strenuous physical exercise during the previous 48 h, and 24 h fasted from caffeine and alcohol. Participants donated approximately 10 mL of blood through venipuncture from the antecubital vein of the forearm at each time point. Blood was collected into vacuum sealed Becton, Dickinson and Company EDTA vials (Franklin Lakes, NJ, USA), and were immediately processed to assess immunophenotype and cytotoxic function.