Document Detail


Ginseng supplementation does not change lactate threshold and physical performances in physically active Thai men.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  17624213     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
BACKGROUND: Ginseng has been one of the most popular herbs said to improve human exercise performance. Unclear and anecdotal information is known about the effect of ginseng on lactate threshold and aerobic performance in humans. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of ginseng supplementation on lactate threshold in physically active young men. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Sixty men from the Naval Medical Corps, Royal Thai Navy, aged 17- 22 years old, were randomized into either the ginseng (n = 30) or placebo (n = 30) group. The ginseng group took 3 grams of 100% ginseng orally, while the placebo group took an equal amount of lactose powder each day, for 8 weeks. Blood lactic acid levels for determination of lactate threshold (LT) were measured during an incremental cycle ergometer work. LT exercise performance, and heart rate (HR) responses to exercise were determined at baseline and after 8 weeks of ginseng and placebo consumption. Substrate oxidation rates during steady state exercise were assessed upon study completion. Selected markers for liver and kidney functions, including serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine were monitored for possible side effects of ginseng. RESULTS: L T before and after 8 weeks of supplementation in the ginseng group (164.5 +/- 32.8 and 170.9 +/- 26.4 watts), and in the placebo group (163.7 + 25.1 and 163.7 + 17.3 watts) were not different (p = 0.448). Both groups had a similar pattern of exercise heart rate (p = 0.918), total exercise time (p = 0.241), and peak power output (p = 0.411). After 8 weeks, the magnitude of difference between ginseng and placebo groups on oxidation rates of fat (3.82 +/- 10.0 cal. kg(-1). min(-1), p = 0.704) or carbohydrate (4.36 +/- 12.6 cal. kg(-1). min(-1), p = 0.731) was not statistically significant. There were no abnormal changes of markers of liver and renal functions after ginseng administration. CONCLUSION: Daily administration of 3 g of ginseng for an 8-week period did not improve LT nor did it affect physical performances. Therefore, ginseng supplementation did not exert an ergogenic property on aerobic fitness enhancement in well-fit individuals.
Authors:
Onanong Kulaputana; Siriwan Thanakomsirichot; Wilai Anomasiri
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Clinical Trial; Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand = Chotmaihet thangphaet     Volume:  90     ISSN:  0125-2208     ISO Abbreviation:  J Med Assoc Thai     Publication Date:  2007 Jun 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2007-07-12     Completed Date:  2007-09-19     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  7507216     Medline TA:  J Med Assoc Thai     Country:  Thailand    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  1172-9     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand. onanongt@hotmail.com
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adolescent
Adult
Dietary Supplements*
Exercise / physiology*
Exercise Test
Heart Rate / drug effects
Humans
Lactic Acid / blood*
Male
Military Medicine*
Military Personnel*
Panax*
Physical Endurance / drug effects*,  physiology
Phytotherapy*
Placebos
Thailand
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Placebos; 50-21-5/Lactic Acid

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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