Exercise Performance
Conditions
Brief summary
Cordyceps and Rhodiola are two common herbal supplements marketed and consumed as adaptogens to athletes with regard to enhanced performance. The effects of these supplements has been well studied in animals but whether or not the same effects translate to humans is still unclear. Thus, the primary purpose of this study is to determine whether combined supplementation of Rhodiola and Cordyceps, compared to Rhodiola alone and placebo, will demonstrate a greater improvement in oxygen consumption (ie. VO2 max).
Detailed description
Herbal supplements are consumed worldwide with surveys approximating five billion dollars spent annually by consumers in the United States alone. Herbal supplements, such as Rhodiola and Cordyceps, both of which are considered to be adaptogens, remain popular among athletes. These adaptogens act as antioxidants, which have been speculated to confer endurance performance benefits by delaying muscle fatigue via the attenuation of muscle damage accumulation and its related by-products during prolonged or exhaustive exercise. Nevertheless, previous research investigating the individual effects of Rhodiola and Cordyceps on aerobic training performance remain equivocal. Moreover, literature elucidating the potential additive effects of Rhodiola and Cordyceps in human subjects are scarce. Therefore, the purpose of the present study is to determine the acute, additive influence of oral Rhodiola and Cordyceps supplementation on VO2 max, with secondary variables of interest being plasma glucose and lactate concentration, and measures of gastrointestinal distress.
Interventions
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTPlacebo of calcium
Ingestion of 250 mg of calcium
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTRhodiola
Ingestion of 250 mg of Rhodiola
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTRhodiola and Cordyceps
Ingestion of 250 mg of Rhodiola and 225 mg of Cordyceps
Sponsors
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Intervention model description
Blocked-randomized, crossover design
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 30 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Body Mass Index between 18.5 and 35 kg/m\^2 * Non-smoking (assessed by Health History Questionnaire) * English-speaking * Regular participation in physical activity (\>4 hours per week)
Exclusion criteria
* Medical conditions that prohibit physical activity (assessed by Health History Questionnaire) * Pregnant women or women expecting/trying to become pregnant * BMI greater than or equal to 35 kg/m\^2 * Current smoker (assessed by Health History Questionnaire)
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| VO2 max | 90 minutes after baseline | Maximum oxygen consumption using the Bruce Protocol |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Gastrointestinal symptoms questionnaire | Baseline, 90 minutes, 110 minutes | Section 1 contains 6 questions assessing upper abdominal problems (reflux, heartburn, bloating, cramps, vomiting, and nausea). Section 2 contains 7 questions assessing lower abdominal problems (intestinal cramps, flatulence, urge to defecate, left abdominal pain, right abdominal pain, loose stool, and diarrhea). Section 3 contains 4 questions assessing systematic problems (dizziness, headache, muscle cramp, and urge to urinate). Each of the 17 questions is answered using a 10-point scale ranging from 0 (no problem at all) to 10 (the worst it has ever been). Each of the 3 sections will be scored separately. Section 1 will be scored on a scale of 0-60. Section 2 will be scored on a scale of 0-70. Section 3 will be scored on a scale of 0-40. |
| Blood glucose | Baseline, 90 minutes, 110 minutes | Plasma glucose assessed by finger stick |
| Blood lactate | Baseline, 90 minutes, 110 minutes | Plasma lactate assessed by finger stick |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed