Effects of Maca Supplementation on Badminton-specific Exercise Performance

NCT07082985 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: CMUH112-REC2-148
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 12
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to investigate whether a 14-day short-term supplementation of Maca can effectively mitigate oxidative stress and fatigue induced by badminton competition.

Conditions

Healthy; Athletes

Keywords

Black maca; Fatigue; Badminton

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Badminton specific endurance test

  The research assistant will mark four points on the ground in a Y-shape configuration, with each target point positioned 3 meters away from the central point. The participant begins at the central point (P0). The participant must move to the upper-right Marker 1 (P1), touch the marker with the racket, and immediately return to P0. Next, the participant proceeds to Marker 2 (P2), touches it with the racket, and returns to P0. Then, the participant moves backward to Marker 3 (P3), and performs a badminton-specific turning jump along the central line to simulate a rear-court shot scenario, before returning again to P0. This entire sequence constitutes one round. The next round begins immediately after the previous one ends. This test is based on the average time of approximately 210 seconds reported by Wonish et al. (2003) for completing the test. The number of Y-shaped rounds completed within this total time is recorded as the participant's endurance performance.

  Including for 2 days in both crossover trials (which lasts around 35 days).

• Assessment of the profile of mood state (POMS)

  POMS brief was chosen for this study to evaluate the mood of individuals. After the "Badminton stimulation test" and "Badminton specific endurance test", participants completed the form, and their responses were analyzed using simple statistics. The results were shown in six dimensions, one positive: (1) vigor; and five negatives: (2) tension, (3) depression, (4) anger, (5) fatigue and (6) confusion.

  Including for 2 days in both crossover trials (which lasts around 35 days).

• Clinical Biochemistry of antioxidant and antifatigue biomarkers

  Blood sample were collected at two time points (before and after the badminton stimulation test). According to the manufacturer's instructions, Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) activity was determined using a commercial SOD activity assay kit, with absorbance analyzed via enzyme immunoassay. A commercial Uric Acid (UA) detection kit was used, and absorbance at 520 nm was measured using an automated enzyme immunoassay analyzer. For Creatine Kinase (CK), blood samples were collected and centrifuged at 1000 g for 20 minutes, with 0.5 mL of serum used for analysis. Absorbance was measured using an automated analyzer

  Including for 2 days in both crossover trials (which lasts around 35 days).

• 30-second Wingate Test

  First, participants performed a 5-minute warm-up on a stationary 894E cycle ergometer with adjustable resistance at a low workload (50 W). Following the warm-up, resistance was set based on body weight (kg × 0.075), and participants completed three bouts of maximal effort sprints, each lasting 5 seconds. Between each sprint, participants pedaled at 50 W for 45 seconds as active recovery. During the test, strong verbal encouragement was provided by the staff to ensure maximal effort. For the main test, participants began pedaling at a cadence of 60 rpm. A verbal countdown (3, 2, 1) was given at an audible volume, and upon hearing the whistle, participants were instructed to immediately pedal with maximal speed and power for 30 seconds. The total and mean power output accumulated during the 30-second anaerobic performance test were recorded as indicators of anaerobic capacity.

  Including for 2 days in both crossover trials (which lasts around 35 days).

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Badminton stimulation test

  Including for 2 days in both crossover trials (which lasts around 35 days).

Study Arms (2)

Placebo

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Containing edible yellow No. 4, edible yellow No. 5, sucrose, silica, talc, oxidized starch, gelatin, magnesium stearate, and palm wax.

Other: Placebo (Placebo trial); Other: Maca (Maca trial)

Maca

EXPERIMENTAL

Each capsule containing 400 mg of Maca

Other: Placebo (Placebo trial); Other: Maca (Maca trial)

Interventions

Placebo (Placebo trial) OTHER

The Placebo capsule supplement was taken for 14 days (4 capsules per day)

Maca; Placebo

Maca (Maca trial) OTHER

The Maca capsule supplement was taken for 14 days, with a daily dosage of 1600 mg of Maca (equivalent to 4 capsules per day, each containing 400 mg of Maca).

Maca; Placebo

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 26 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Badminton athletes aged between 18 and 26 years.
• Each with at least three years of playing experience and a regular exercise routine.

You may not qualify if:

• Have smoking and drinking habits.
• People who feel unwell due to other reasons during the experiment.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• China Medical University Hospital: lead
• National Science and Technology Council: collaborator
• China Medical University, Taiwan: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

China Medical University

Taichung, Taiwan

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Fatigue

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Jung-Piao Tsao

  China Medical University, China

  STUDY CHAIR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: QUADRUPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Model Details: The study recruited twelve badminton athletes aged between 18 and 26 years, all of whom engage in regular physical training. Participants were crossed over for Maca or placebo supplements, which could be ended in two days.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 17, 2025
• First Posted: July 24, 2025
• Study Start: September 1, 2023
• Primary Completion: October 11, 2023
• Study Completion: January 17, 2024
• Last Updated: July 24, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TW (1)