Effects of Maca Supplementation on Badminton-specific Exercise Performance: Indicators of Exercise-Induced Fatigue and Oxidative Stress

Badminton specific endurance test

时间窗: Including for 2 days in both crossover trials (which lasts around 35 days).

The research assistant will mark four points on the ground in a Y-shape configuration, with each target point positioned 3 meters away from the central point. The participant begins at the central point (P0). The participant must move to the upper-right Marker 1 (P1), touch the marker with the racket, and immediately return to P0. Next, the participant proceeds to Marker 2 (P2), touches it with the racket, and returns to P0. Then, the participant moves backward to Marker 3 (P3), and performs a badminton-specific turning jump along the central line to simulate a rear-court shot scenario, before returning again to P0. This entire sequence constitutes one round. The next round begins immediately after the previous one ends. This test is based on the average time of approximately 210 seconds reported by Wonish et al. (2003) for completing the test. The number of Y-shaped rounds completed within this total time is recorded as the participant's endurance performance.

Assessment of the profile of mood state (POMS)

时间窗: Including for 2 days in both crossover trials (which lasts around 35 days).

POMS brief was chosen for this study to evaluate the mood of individuals. After the "Badminton stimulation test" and "Badminton specific endurance test", participants completed the form, and their responses were analyzed using simple statistics. The results were shown in six dimensions, one positive: (1) vigor; and five negatives: (2) tension, (3) depression, (4) anger, (5) fatigue and (6) confusion.

Clinical Biochemistry of antioxidant and antifatigue biomarkers

时间窗: Including for 2 days in both crossover trials (which lasts around 35 days).

Blood sample were collected at two time points (before and after the badminton stimulation test). According to the manufacturer's instructions, Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) activity was determined using a commercial SOD activity assay kit, with absorbance analyzed via enzyme immunoassay. A commercial Uric Acid (UA) detection kit was used, and absorbance at 520 nm was measured using an automated enzyme immunoassay analyzer. For Creatine Kinase (CK), blood samples were collected and centrifuged at 1000 g for 20 minutes, with 0.5 mL of serum used for analysis. Absorbance was measured using an automated analyzer

30-second Wingate Test

时间窗: Including for 2 days in both crossover trials (which lasts around 35 days).

First, participants performed a 5-minute warm-up on a stationary 894E cycle ergometer with adjustable resistance at a low workload (50 W). Following the warm-up, resistance was set based on body weight (kg × 0.075), and participants completed three bouts of maximal effort sprints, each lasting 5 seconds. Between each sprint, participants pedaled at 50 W for 45 seconds as active recovery. During the test, strong verbal encouragement was provided by the staff to ensure maximal effort. For the main test, participants began pedaling at a cadence of 60 rpm. A verbal countdown (3, 2, 1) was given at an audible volume, and upon hearing the whistle, participants were instructed to immediately pedal with maximal speed and power for 30 seconds. The total and mean power output accumulated during the 30-second anaerobic performance test were recorded as indicators of anaerobic capacity.