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Effect of Cordyceps Supplementation Timing on Physiological Responses and Aerobic Adaptation in Athletes
Sponsor: Surabaya State University
Summary
Athletes frequently perform high-intensity exercise to improve physical performance and aerobic capacity. However, such training can induce exercise-induced muscle damage, oxidative stress, and inflammatory responses that may delay recovery and compromise subsequent training adaptations. Optimizing recovery strategies is therefore essential to maintain performance, reduce injury risk, and support long-term athletic development. Cordyceps is a medicinal mushroom that contains several bioactive compounds, including cordycepin and polysaccharides, which have demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties. Although previous studies have reported beneficial effects of Cordyceps supplementation on exercise performance and physiological function, limited evidence exists regarding the optimal timing of supplementation relative to exercise. This study aims to investigate the effects of different Cordyceps supplementation timing strategies on physiological responses and aerobic adaptation following acute and chronic exercise training. Participants will be assigned to receive Cordyceps supplementation before exercise, after exercise, or placebo. The study will evaluate biomarkers of inflammation (IL-6), oxidative stress (MDA), muscle damage (CK), aerobic capacity (VO2max), and neuromuscular performance assessed using countermovement jump (CMJ) testing. The findings of this study are expected to provide evidence-based recommendations regarding nutritional recovery strategies and supplementation timing to optimize recovery and training adaptation in athletes and physically active individuals.
Official title: Optimization of Athlete Recovery: Effects of Cordyceps Supplementation Timing on Inflammatory Response, Oxidative Stress, Muscle Damage, and Aerobic Adaptation Following Acute and Chronic Exercise Training
Key Details
Gender
MALE
Age Range
19 Years - 21 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
30
Start Date
2026-06-09
Completion Date
2026-08-10
Last Updated
2026-08-25
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Conditions
Interventions
Pre-Exercise Cordyceps Sinensis
Participants in the pre-exercise group received 200 mg of a 10:1 Cordyceps sinensis CS-4 extract per administration (equivalent to 2,000 mg of raw Cordyceps material), with two capsules administered approximately 11 hours and 1 hour before each exercise session. Supplementation was provided three times per week for 4 weeks. The intervention is designed to evaluate the effects of pre-exercise supplementation timing on inflammatory response (IL-6), oxidative stress (MDA), muscle damage (CK), countermovement jump (CMJ) performance, and aerobic adaptation (VO2max).
Post-Exercise Cordyceps Sinensis
Participants in the post-exercise group received 200 mg of a 10:1 Cordyceps sinensis CS-4 extract (equivalent to 2,000 mg of raw Cordyceps material; two capsules) immediately after each exercise session, three times per week for 4 weeks. The intervention is designed to evaluate the effects of post-exercise supplementation timing on inflammatory response (IL-6), oxidative stress (MDA), muscle damage (CK), countermovement jump (CMJ) performance, and aerobic adaptation (VO2max).
Placebo
Participants received two placebo capsules immediately after each exercise session, three times per week for 4 weeks. The placebo capsules contained the same excipient base without Cordyceps sinensis extract and were identical to the active capsules in appearance, size, packaging, and administration procedure to maintain blinding. and serves as the control condition for comparison of physiological and performance outcomes.
Locations (1)
Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences
Surabaya, Jawa Timur - East Java, Indonesia