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
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Completed
- Sponsor
- Enrollment
- 30
- Locations
- 1
Study Overview
Brief 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.
Detailed Description
Background
Recovery is a fundamental component of the training process because physiological adaptation occurs not only during exercise but also during the recovery period following exercise-induced stress. High-intensity exercise is widely used to improve athletic performance and aerobic capacity; however, it is also associated with increased physiological stress, including exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD), oxidative stress, and inflammatory responses. Excessive accumulation of these responses may impair recovery, reduce training quality, increase injury risk, and contribute to non-functional overreaching or overtraining.
Exercise-induced physiological stress is commonly characterized by elevations in inflammatory biomarkers such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), muscle damage markers such as creatine kinase (CK), and oxidative stress markers such as malondialdehyde (MDA). Conversely, appropriate recovery interventions may facilitate restoration of physiological homeostasis and support positive training adaptations, including improvements in aerobic capacity.
Cordyceps is a medicinal fungus that contains several biologically active compounds, including cordycepin, polysaccharides, nucleosides, sterols, and phenolic compounds. Experimental and clinical studies have demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties of Cordyceps. These mechanisms suggest that Cordyceps supplementation may help attenuate exercise-induced physiological stress while supporting recovery and adaptation processes.
Despite increasing interest in Cordyceps supplementation among athletes, evidence regarding the influence of supplementation timing remains limited. Most previous studies have focused primarily on supplementation efficacy without specifically evaluating whether administration before exercise or after exercise produces differential physiological effects. Understanding the role of supplementation timing may contribute to the development of more effective recovery strategies in sports science.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel
- Primary Purpose
- Treatment
- Masking
- Triple (Participant, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Masking Description
Participants, investigators, and outcome assessors will be blinded to group allocation. Cordyceps and placebo capsules will be identical in appearance, packaging, and administration procedures. Allocation codes will be maintained by an independent researcher and will not be disclosed until completion of data collection and primary analyses.
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 19 Years to 21 Years (Adult)
- Sex
- Male
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria
- •Male participants aged 19-21 years.
- •Students enrolled in the Sport Coaching Education Program (Pendidikan Kepelatihan Olahraga).
- •Apparently healthy and free from known cardiovascular, metabolic, respiratory, neuromuscular, or musculoskeletal disorders that could affect participation in exercise training.
- •Regularly participate in physical exercise at least three times per week during the previous three months.
- •Willing to comply with all study procedures, exercise protocols, supplementation schedules, and assessment sessions.
- •Provide written informed consent before participation.
Exclusion Criteria
- •Current injury or musculoskeletal condition that limits participation in exercise training.
- •History of cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled hypertension, diabetes mellitus, respiratory disease, or other medical conditions that may increase exercise-related risk.
- •Use of antioxidant supplements, herbal supplements, ergogenic aids, or anti-inflammatory medications within four weeks prior to study enrollment.
- •Known allergy or hypersensitivity to Cordyceps or any component of the study supplements.
- •Smoking or excessive alcohol consumption during the study period.
- •Failure to comply with supplementation or exercise protocols.
- •Participation in another research study during the study period.
- •Participants presenting acute infection, fever, or inflammatory conditions within two weeks prior to baseline assessment.
Arms & Interventions
Pre-Exercise Cordyceps
Participants receive Cordyceps supplementation twice prior to exercise sessions, with administration occurring approximately 11 hours and 1 hour before exercise. This intervention is designed to evaluate the effects of pre-exercise supplementation timing on inflammatory response, oxidative stress, muscle damage, neuromuscular performance, and aerobic adaptation following acute and chronic exercise training.
Intervention: Pre-Exercise Cordyceps militaris (Dietary Supplement)
Post-Exercise Cordyceps
Participants receive Cordyceps supplementation immediately after completion of each exercise session. This intervention is designed to evaluate the effects of post-exercise supplementation timing on physiological recovery, neuromuscular performance, and aerobic adaptation following acute and chronic exercise training.
Intervention: Post-Exercise Cordyceps militaris (Dietary Supplement)
Placebo
Participants receive placebo capsules matched in appearance and administration schedule to the Cordyceps supplementation groups. The placebo group serves as the control condition for comparison of physiological and performance outcomes.
Intervention: Placebo (Other)
Investigators
Bayu Agung Pramono
Doctoral Candidate
Surabaya State University