Effects of Cistanche Supplementation on Anaerobic Exercise Performance and Recovery in Men With Different Athletic Training Levels

Effects of Cistanche Supplementation on Anaerobic Exercise Performance and Recovery in Men With Different Athletic Training Levels: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial

This study is a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial designed to examine whether 8 weeks of Cistanche deserticola supplementation, when combined with a standardized anaerobic training program, can improve anaerobic exercise performance, recovery, and selected body composition outcomes in young adult men with different athletic training levels.

Participants will be assigned to receive either Cistanche deserticola extract or a matched placebo while completing the same supervised anaerobic training program. The study will assess changes in anaerobic performance, including Wingate test outcomes and jump performance, as well as recovery-related indicators such as blood lactate, creatine kinase, malondialdehyde, testosterone, cortisol, and the testosterone-to-cortisol ratio. Body composition outcomes, including body fat percentage and skeletal muscle mass, will also be evaluated.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether Cistanche deserticola supplementation provides additional benefits beyond training alone, and whether these effects differ between highly trained and recreationally trained participants.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Athlete; Exercise Recovery; Sport Performance; Elite Athlete
• Intervention / Treatment: Dietary supplement: Cistanche deserticola; Behavioral: Standardized anaerobic training program; Dietary supplement: Matched placebo paste

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 56
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• China
  • Hubei
    • Wuhan, Hubei, China, 430000
      • Wuhan Sport University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male, aged 18 to 25 years
• Body mass index (BMI) between 18.5 and 25.0 kg/m²
• Able and willing to provide written informed consent
• Willing to comply with study procedures, supplementation, training, and assessments
• Belonging to one of the following athletic training strata:
• High-level elite stratum: Chinese National Level-1 Athlete standard in sprint-related events, regular training in past 12 months and active during study
• Amateur stratum: regular exercise-training background in past 12 months without National Level-1 status

Exclusion Criteria:

• Use of steroids or ergogenic supplements during study
• Known cardiovascular, metabolic, musculoskeletal, or other conditions making participation unsafe or affecting outcomes
• Current use of medications affecting muscle growth, recovery, hormones, or high-intensity performance
• Current injury or limitation preventing safe participation
• Known allergy or intolerance to supplement/placebo ingredients
• Participation in another clinical trial or structured intervention during study period
• Inability or unwillingness to comply with protocol
• Any other condition deemed unsuitable by investigators

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Health Services Research
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Double

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Cistanche Supplementation + Standardized Anaerobic Training; Participants in this arm receive Cistanche deserticola extract paste (5 g/day) for 8 weeks while completing the same supervised standardized anaerobic training program as the control arm. The training program is performed 3 times per week and includes repeated sprint training, explosive/strength-support exercises, and short-bout high-intensity interval training.	Dietary supplement: Cistanche deserticola; Participants receive Cistanche deserticola extract paste at a dose of 5 g/day for 8 weeks. The supplement is administered in two sachets per day, one after breakfast and one after lunch. The product is derived from Cistanche deserticola Y.C. Ma cultivated in Inner Mongolia and consists primarily of phenylethanoid glycosides. Batch-specific quality-control documentation is provided by the supplier to ensure consistency.; Behavioral: Standardized anaerobic training program; All participants complete the same supervised standardized anaerobic training program 3 times per week for 8 consecutive weeks. Each session lasts approximately 50 to 65 minutes and includes a dynamic warm-up, repeated sprint training, explosive/strength-support exercises, short-bout high-intensity interval training, and a cool-down. Training load is progressively increased across the intervention period, and attendance as well as session rating of perceived exertion are recorded throughout the study.
Active Comparator: Placebo + Standardized Anaerobic Training; Participants in this arm receive a matched placebo for 8 weeks while completing the same supervised standardized anaerobic training program as the experimental arm. The placebo is matched in appearance, weight, texture, and taste. The training program is performed 3 times per week and includes repeated sprint training, explosive/strength-support exercises, and short-bout high-intensity interval training.	Behavioral: Standardized anaerobic training program; All participants complete the same supervised standardized anaerobic training program 3 times per week for 8 consecutive weeks. Each session lasts approximately 50 to 65 minutes and includes a dynamic warm-up, repeated sprint training, explosive/strength-support exercises, short-bout high-intensity interval training, and a cool-down. Training load is progressively increased across the intervention period, and attendance as well as session rating of perceived exertion are recorded throughout the study.; Dietary supplement: Matched placebo paste; Participants receive a matched placebo for 8 weeks. The placebo is administered in two sachets per day, one after breakfast and one after lunch, following the same schedule as the experimental supplement. It contains maltodextrin, microcrystalline cellulose, caramel coloring, and a food-grade bittering agent, and is matched to the active supplement in appearance, weight, texture, and taste.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Peak power during the 30-second Wingate Anaerobic Test	Peak power (W) measured during a 30-second Wingate Anaerobic Test performed on a Monark 894E cycle ergometer. The test is conducted under standardized conditions, and the primary analysis will evaluate the change from baseline to post-intervention and the between-group difference in change after 8 weeks of intervention.	Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)
Squat jump height	Squat jump (SJ) height in centimeters, assessed under standardized testing conditions as a measure of lower-limb explosive performance. Analyses will assess change from baseline to post-intervention and between-group differences in change.	Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)
Countermovement jump	Countermovement jump (CMJ) height in centimeters, assessed under standardized testing conditions as a measure of lower-limb explosive performance. Analyses will assess change from baseline to post-intervention and between-group differences in change.	Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Average power during the 30-second Wingate Anaerobic Test	Average power (W) measured during the 30-second Wingate Anaerobic Test. Analyses will assess change from baseline to post-intervention and between-group differences in change.	Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)
Minimum power during the 30-second Wingate Anaerobic Test		Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)
Power drop during the 30-second Wingate Anaerobic Test	Power drop (%) calculated from the 30-second Wingate Anaerobic Test as an index of fatigue during maximal anaerobic effort. Analyses will assess change from baseline to post-intervention and between-group differences in change.	Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)
Post-exercise blood lactate response	Capillary blood lactate concentration (mmol/L) measured immediately after the Wingate Anaerobic Test and at 3 minutes of recovery as indices of acute metabolic stress and recovery. Analyses will assess change from baseline to post-intervention and between-group differences in change.	Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)
Serum creatine kinase concentration		Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)
Serum malondialdehyde concentration	Serum malondialdehyde (MDA, nmol/mL) measured as a biomarker related to oxidative stress. Analyses will assess change from baseline to post-intervention and between-group differences in change.	Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)
Serum testosterone concentration	Fasting serum testosterone concentration (ng/mL) measured from venous blood samples collected under standardized morning conditions.	Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)
Body fat percentage	Body fat percentage measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis (InBody 770). Analyses will assess change from baseline to post-intervention and between-group differences in change.	Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)
Skeletal muscle mass	Skeletal muscle mass (kg) measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis (InBody 770). Analyses will assess change from baseline to post-intervention and between-group differences in change.	Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)
Serum cortisol concentration	Fasting serum cortisol concentration (μg/dL) measured from venous blood samples collected under standardized morning conditions.	Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Body mass index	Body mass index (BMI, kg/m²) calculated from measured height and body weight.	Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)
Body weight	Body weight (kg) measured under standardized fasting conditions. Analyses will assess change from baseline to post-intervention and between-group differences in change.	Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)
Resting blood lactate concentration	Capillary blood lactate concentration (mmol/L) measured before the Wingate Anaerobic Test under resting conditions. Analyses will assess change from baseline to post-intervention and between-group differences in change.	Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Beijing Sport University
• Collaborators: Wuhan Sports University

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Thomas S, Reading J, Shephard RJ. Revision of the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q). Can J Sport Sci. 1992 Dec;17(4):338-45.
• Bassett DR Jr. International physical activity questionnaire: 12-country reliability and validity. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2003 Aug;35(8):1396. doi: 10.1249/01.MSS.0000078923.96621.1D. No abstract available.
• Foster C, Florhaug JA, Franklin J, Gottschall L, Hrovatin LA, Parker S, Doleshal P, Dodge C. A new approach to monitoring exercise training. J Strength Cond Res. 2001 Feb;15(1):109-15.
• Bobbert MF, Gerritsen KG, Litjens MC, Van Soest AJ. Why is countermovement jump height greater than squat jump height? Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1996 Nov;28(11):1402-12. doi: 10.1097/00005768-199611000-00009.
• Oliver JL, Ramachandran AK, Singh U, Ramirez-Campillo R, Lloyd RS. The Effects of Strength, Plyometric and Combined Training on Strength, Power and Speed Characteristics in High-Level, Highly Trained Male Youth Soccer Players: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Sports Med. 2024 Mar;54(3):623-643. doi: 10.1007/s40279-023-01944-8. Epub 2023 Oct 28.
• Metter EJ, Talbot LA, Schrager M, Conwit R. Skeletal muscle strength as a predictor of all-cause mortality in healthy men. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2002 Oct;57(10):B359-65. doi: 10.1093/gerona/57.10.b359.
• Adlercreutz H, Harkonen M, Kuoppasalmi K, Naveri H, Huhtaniemi I, Tikkanen H, Remes K, Dessypris A, Karvonen J. Effect of training on plasma anabolic and catabolic steroid hormones and their response during physical exercise. Int J Sports Med. 1986 Jun;7 Suppl 1:27-8. doi: 10.1055/s-2008-1025798. No abstract available.
• Aslam S, Habyarimana JD, Bin SY. Neuromuscular adaptations to resistance training in elite versus recreational athletes. Front Physiol. 2025 Jun 9;16:1598149. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2025.1598149. eCollection 2025.
• Gabbett TJ, Oetter E. From Tissue to System: What Constitutes an Appropriate Response to Loading? Sports Med. 2025 Jan;55(1):17-35. doi: 10.1007/s40279-024-02126-w. Epub 2024 Nov 11.
• Guo L, Xu P, Li Z, Li Y, Li J, Li S, Lin N, Xu Y. Cistanche total glycoside capsule promotes sperm maturation and fertility by activating the NELL2 Lumicrine pathway in a male reproductive impairment model. J Ethnopharmacol. 2025 Sep 25;353(Pt A):120289. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2025.120289. Epub 2025 Jul 12.
• Jiao X, Liu X, Cao Q, Deng Z. Plant-based supplements in enhancing exercise performance and recovery. Front Nutr. 2025 Nov 24;12:1699642. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1699642. eCollection 2025.
• Naderi A, Rothschild JA, Santos HO, Hamidvand A, Koozehchian MS, Ghazzagh A, Berjisian E, Podlogar T. Nutritional Strategies to Improve Post-exercise Recovery and Subsequent Exercise Performance: A Narrative Review. Sports Med. 2025 Jul;55(7):1559-1577. doi: 10.1007/s40279-025-02213-6. Epub 2025 Apr 12.
• Tao B, Lian W, Min R, Zhang X, Chen L, Hao S, Li Z, Ma C, Zhang H, Liu C. Effects of Cistanche deserticola Y.C. Ma Supplementation on Muscle Strength and Recovery: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Nutrients. 2025 Sep 16;17(18):2965. doi: 10.3390/nu17182965.
• Tao J, Zhong X, Lin H, Lai Y, Jian Z, Tao A, Jiang G. The potential, challenges, and prospects of polysaccharides from the genus Cistanche as therapeutic agents for aging-related diseases: A review. Int J Biol Macromol. 2025 Jun;312:144144. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.144144. Epub 2025 May 11.
• Varillas-Delgado D. Nutritional Intervention and Ergogenic Aids in Sport Performance and Recovery. Nutrients. 2025 Aug 29;17(17):2806. doi: 10.3390/nu17172806.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): November 20, 2025
• Primary Completion (Actual): April 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Actual): April 12, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 13, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 20, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): April 22, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 22, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 20, 2026
• Last Verified: April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: randomized controlled trial; body composition; lactate; muscle damage; exercise recovery; anaerobic performance; explosive power; Cistanche
• Other Study ID Numbers: 2025161

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED
• IPD Plan Description: The investigators have not yet decided whether individual participant data will be shared. Any future sharing of de-identified data will depend on participant consent, institutional requirements, ethics approval, and data governance considerations.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No