No Ergogenic Effects of Ginseng (Panax Ginseng C.A. Meyer) during Graded Maximal Aerobic Exercise

Objective To assess the effects of chronic supplementation with two different dosages of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer on physiologic and psychological responses during graded maximal aerobic exercise. Design Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Subjects Thirty-six healthy men consuming an otherwise supplement-free diet who maintained their usual activity level. Intervention A standardized P ginseng C.A. Meyer concentrate (G115) was added to the normal diet of study participants at a dosage level of either 200 or 400 mg/day, where 100 mg of the preparation is equivalent to 500 mg P ginseng root. Main outcome measures Submaximal and maximal aerobic exercise responses before and after an 8-week trial intervention. Statistical analyses performed Analysis of variance. Results Thirty-one subjects completed the study. Supplementation with ginseng had no effect on the following physiologic and psychological parameters: oxygen consumption (mL/kg per minute), respiratory exchange ratio, minute ventilation (L/min), blood lactic acid concentration (mmol/L), heart rate (beats/min), and perceived exertion ( P >.05). Conclusions Our data in healthy men do not offer support for claims that P ginseng C.A. Meyer is an ergogenic aid to improve submaximal and maximal aerobic exercise performance. J Am Diet Assoc. 1997;97:1110–1115.