Background. Competitive sport has the potential for high levels of stress and anxiety that may affect performance and increase the risk of injuries. While benefits of pre-training assumption of N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are well known, poor data are available on Schisandra chinensis. Schisandra chinensis is a medicinal plant in use in Chinese medicine which increases physical working capacity and affords a stress protective effect. Objectives. We tested, in an open pilot study, the effect on competition related stress, anxiety and self-confidence of a novel formulation containing: PUFAs, Schisandra chinensis extract and vitamin D3. Methods. A novel formulation containing N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), Schisandra chinensis extract and vitamin D3, five ml per day was administered to one group of fifteen elite sport athletes (basketball players). Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2) tests were administered at baseline and after 3 months. Results. All subjects completed the 3 months period of the study, all declaring a consumption >75% of daily recommended dose. No adverse event were registered. After intervention, the median cognitive state anxiety score remained mild (score 16) even if with an overall statistically significative decrease (p=0.005); same results were registered after intervention for the somatic state anxiety score (score 16) with an overall statistically significative decrease (p=0.008) and for the self-confidence score (score 22, range 15-30) with an overall statistically significative increase (p=0.008). Conclusion. The results showed the positive effect of the treatment on the control of stress and anxiety and the improvement of self-confidence in a large majority of the subject enrolled. However, further studies are needed to confirm our findings.
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