The aim of this study was to investigate whether prolonged supplementation with ginseng could be useful as a sports ergogenic agent. The effects of ginseng treatment were evaluated by means of a double blind controlled study in 15 male soccer players (aged 19,07 ± 0,62 years). They were randomly assigned to the ginseng group (n = 7) receiving 350mg of Panax ginseng extract daily for 6 weeks or to the placebo group (n = 8). Before and after treatment all subjects were submitted to the incremental, cycloergometer test. Exercise loads were increased by 50 W every 3 min until volitional exhaustion, starting from 50 W. Psychomotor performance was determined by measuring multiple choice reaction time (RT) during each exercise load. Besides, blood lactate concentrations (LA) and oxygen uptake were measured. Then, the maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and lactate threshold (LAT) were calculated. Plasma concentrations of testosterone, growth hormone and cortisol were measured by the radioimmunoassays before and after exercise. It was demonstrated that ginseng supplementation significantly shortens RT both at rest and during exercise and shifts the exercise load associated with the shortest RT towards higher intensities (from 150± 15 W before the treatment to 200 ± 15 after it, p < 0,05). No significant changes in VO2max, lactate threshold and plasma hormone concentrations were noted after ginseng supplementation. It is concluded that the ginseng treatment improves psychomotor performance during exercise without affecting working capacity or hormonal responses to exercise. According to these results it is suggested that the Panax ginseng can be recommended as a legal sports ergogenic agent.
© Copyright 1999 5th IOC World Congress on Sport Sciences with the Annual Conference of Science and Medicine in Sport 1999. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.