Effect of Cordyceps Supplementation Timing on Physiological Responses and Aerobic Adaptation in Athletes

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.

Conditions

• Exercise Recovery
• Exercise-induced Muscle Damage
• Oxidative Stress
• Sports Performance
• Aerobic Capacity

Interventions

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Pre-Exercise Cordyceps militaris

Participants receive 2,000 mg of Cordyceps militaris (two capsules per administration) approximately 11 hours and 1 hour before each exercise session, three times per week for 4 weeks. The intervention is designed to evaluate the effects of pre-exercise supplementation timing on inflammatory response (IL-6), oxidative stress (MDA), muscle damage (CK), countermovement jump (CMJ) performance, and aerobic adaptation (VO2max).

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Post-Exercise Cordyceps militaris

Participants receive 2,000 mg of Cordyceps militaris (two capsules per administration) immediately after each exercise session, three times per week for 4 weeks. The intervention is designed to evaluate the effects of post-exercise supplementation timing on inflammatory response (IL-6), oxidative stress (MDA), muscle damage (CK), countermovement jump (CMJ) performance, and aerobic adaptation (VO2max).

OTHER

Placebo

Participants receive placebo capsules matched in appearance, packaging, and administration procedures to the Cordyceps militaris supplement. Placebo is administered before each exercise session, three times per week for 4 weeks, and serves as the control condition for comparison of physiological and performance outcomes.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Surabaya State University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Nining W Kusnanik, Dr. · Surabaya State University

• Agus Hariyanto, Dr. · Surabaya State University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

TRIPLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

19 Years

Max Age

21 Years

Sex

MALE

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-06-09

Primary Completion

2026-08-01

Completion

2026-08-10

Countries

• Indonesia

Study Locations