Cordyceps is a type of medicinal mushroom that has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine to improve athletic performance and increase energy levels. In recent years, Cordyceps has gained popularity among athletes and fitness enthusiasts due to its potential to improve endurance and reduce fatigue during high-intensity exercise. A study published in the Journal of Dietary Supplements aimed to investigate the effects of Cordyceps militaris supplementation on exercise performance and muscle fatigue in healthy adults.
The study included 30 healthy adults (15 men and 15 women) aged between 18 and 30 years. The participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups – the Cordyceps militaris supplementation group or the placebo group. The Cordyceps group consumed 1000 mg of Cordyceps militaris extract daily for 7 days, while the placebo group consumed a starch capsule.
After 7 days of supplementation, the participants performed an exercise test on a cycle ergometer to evaluate their endurance and muscle fatigue. The test involved cycling at a constant workload of 80% of each participant’s maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) until exhaustion. The researchers monitored the participants’ oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, heart rate, and blood lactate levels during the exercise test.
The study found that Cordyceps militaris supplementation significantly improved endurance and reduced muscle fatigue during high-intensity exercise. The participants in the Cordyceps group were able to cycle for a longer duration before exhaustion compared to the placebo group. The time to exhaustion was increased by 8.5% in the Cordyceps group compared to the placebo group. In addition, the researchers observed a significant decrease in blood lactate levels in the Cordyceps group, indicating reduced muscle fatigue.
The study also investigated the potential mechanisms by which Cordyceps militaris supplementation improves exercise performance and reduces muscle fatigue. The researchers found that Cordyceps militaris supplementation increased the participants’ anaerobic threshold, which is the point during exercise when the body switches from using oxygen as the primary energy source to using stored energy sources such as glycogen. This indicates that Cordyceps militaris supplementation enhances the body’s ability to use energy more efficiently during high-intensity exercise.
Furthermore, the researchers found that Cordyceps militaris supplementation increased the participants’ oxygen uptake during exercise. This is important because oxygen uptake is a key determinant of exercise performance, and increasing oxygen uptake can improve endurance and reduce fatigue during high-intensity exercise.
The study concluded that Cordyceps militaris supplementation improves endurance and reduces muscle fatigue during high- intensity exercise, possibly through increasing the anaerobic threshold and oxygen uptake. These findings suggest that Cordyceps militaris may be a safe and effective natural supplement for athletes and fitness enthusiasts looking to improve their exercise performance and reduce fatigue.
In conclusion, the study provides evidence for the potential of Cordyceps militaris supplementation to improve exercise performance and reduce muscle fatigue during high-intensity exercise. While further research is needed to confirm these findings and investigate the optimal dosage and duration of Cordyceps militaris supplementation for athletic performance, the study suggests that Cordyceps militaris may be a valuable supplement for athletes and fitness enthusiasts looking to enhance their endurance and reduce fatigue during high-intensity exercise.
Further reading:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5236007/