Echinacea-based Supplement Does Not Improve Markers of Performance in Athletes

• Status: Completed
• Trial end date: 2013-07-01
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: All

Summary

The purpose of this study was three-fold. We wanted to (1) determine if supplementation with an echinacea-based dietary supplement (ECH) would increase several blood parameters that could affect oxygen carrying capacity in the body, (2) determine if ECH would increase VO2max in trained endurance athletes, and (3) examine the effectiveness of two different doses of the ECH on all outcome variables. We hypothesized that supplementation with ECH would increase oxygen carrying capacity (as measured by RBCs, EPO, ferritin, hemoglobin (Hb), and hematocrit (Hct) levels), improve VO2max, and that the maximum dose would be most effective at increasing these outcomes.

• Phase: N/A
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Details

• Lead Sponsor: University of Georgia

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male and female endurance athletes between the ages of 18-44

• Normal body mass index (BMI) between 18.5-24.9kg/m2.

• Individuals must currently be performing aerobic exercise at least 4 days per week for a minimum of 60 minutes at each session.

• They must also be willing to maintain their current training regimen through the course of the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any changes in altitude during the study (where they are living or training)

• Recent altitude training or use of a hypobaric chamber (within the last 6 months)

• Any other supplements or ergogenic aids (excluding multivitamins)

• Any participant who will be changing their current exercise training program during the study (includes changes in volume, frequency, or intensity)

• If any participant is pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant before this study would finish

• Any blood transfusions or blood donation in the past 16 weeks

• Any chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, renal disease, or diabetes

• Any condition that affects their ability to perform maximal exercise