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

NCT07546513 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: 2025161
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 56
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

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.

Conditions

Athlete; Elite Athlete; Sport Performance; Exercise Recovery

Keywords

Cistanche; anaerobic performance; exercise recovery; explosive power; lactate; muscle damage; body composition; randomized controlled trial

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• 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 Outcomes (10)

• Average power during the 30-second Wingate Anaerobic Test

  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

  Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)

• Post-exercise blood lactate response

  Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)

• Serum creatine kinase concentration

  Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)

Other Outcomes (3)

• Body mass index

  Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)

• Body weight

  Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)

• Resting blood lactate concentration

  Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)

Study Arms (2)

Cistanche Supplementation + Standardized Anaerobic Training

EXPERIMENTAL

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; Behavioral: Standardized anaerobic training program

Placebo + Standardized Anaerobic Training

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

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.

Dietary Supplement: Matched placebo paste; Behavioral: Standardized anaerobic training program

Interventions

Cistanche deserticola DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

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.

Cistanche Supplementation + Standardized Anaerobic Training

Matched placebo paste DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

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.

Placebo + Standardized Anaerobic Training

Standardized anaerobic training program BEHAVIORAL

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.

Cistanche Supplementation + Standardized Anaerobic Training; Placebo + Standardized Anaerobic Training

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 25 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• 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

You may not qualify if:

• 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

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Beijing Sport University: lead
• Wuhan Sports University: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Wuhan Sport University

Wuhan, Hubei, 430000, China

Location

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Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR
• Masking Details: Masking Description
• Purpose: HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: Model Description

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 13, 2026
• First Posted: April 22, 2026
• Study Start: November 20, 2025
• Primary Completion: April 1, 2026
• Study Completion: April 12, 2026
• Last Updated: April 22, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Locations

CN (1)