[#2010-24] Cordyceps Chen, Steven et al. Effect of CS-4 on Exercise Performance in Healthy Older Subjects

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the effect of Cs-4 (Cordyceps sinensis) on exercise performance in healthy elderly subjects.

Design: Twenty (20) healthy elderly (age 50–75 years) subjects were enrolled in this double-blind, placebocontrolled, prospective trial. The subjects were taking either Cs-4 333mg or placebo capsules 3 times a day for 12 weeks.

Measurement: Subjects received baseline screening including physical examination and laboratory tests. Maximal incremental exercise testing was performed on a stationary cycle ergometer using breath-by-breath analysis at baseline and at the completion of the study.

Results: After receiving Cs-4 for 12 weeks, the metabolic threshold (above which lactate accumulates) increased by 10.5% from 0.83
0.06 to 0.93
0.08 L=min ( p<0.02) and the ventilatory threshold (above which unbuffered Hþ stimulates ventilation) increased by 8.5% from 1.25
0.11 to 1.36
0.15 L=min. Significant changes in metabolic or ventilatory threshold were not seen for the subjects in the placebo group after 12 weeks, and there were no changes in v_o2 max in either group.

Conclusion: This pilot study suggests that supplementation with Cs-4 (Cordyceps sinensis) improves exercise performance and might contribute to wellness in healthy older subjects.