Panax ginseng Supplementation Increases Muscle Recruitment, Attenuates Perceived Effort, and Accelerates Muscle Force Recovery After an Eccentric-Based Exercise in Athletes

Abstract

Cristina-Souza, G, Santos-Mariano, AC, Lima-Silva, AE, Costa, PL, Domingos, PR, Silva, SF, Abreu, WC, De-Oliveira, FR, and Osiecki, R. Panax Ginseng supplementation increases muscle recruitment, attenuates perceived effort, and accelerates muscle force recovery after an eccentric-based exercise in athletes. J Strength Cond Res 36(4): 991–997, 2022—The effect of Panax ginseng during and after an eccentric-based exercise is underexplored. In this study, we investigated the effect of Panax ginseng on muscle force and muscle excitation during an eccentric-based exercise and on subsequent muscle damage and delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Using a randomized, double-blind, crossover design, 10 male track and field athletes consumed Panax ginseng or placebo for 8 days. At the fifth day, they performed 4 sets until concentric failure of a half-squat exercise, with eccentric action increased by using an eccentric-inductor device attached to their knees. The rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and vastus lateralis electromyographic (EMG) activity was measured during the half-squat. Plasma lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) concentrations, DOMS, and maximal isometric voluntary contractions (MIVCs) with EMG recording were measured at 24, 48, and 72 hours after the half-squat. Panax ginseng attenuated RPE and increased EMG during the sets. The MIVC remained reduced 48 hours after exercise in the placebo but returned to baseline 24 hours after exercise in the Panax ginseng, with values at 24 and 48 hours after exercise significantly higher in the Panax ginseng than in the placebo. The EMG during MIVC was higher in the Panax ginseng than in the placebo over the time points. No significant effect of Panax ginseng on LDH, CK, and DOMS was observed. These findings suggest that Panax ginseng increases muscle excitation and attenuates perceived effort during an eccentric-based exercise as well as accelerates the recovery of muscle force in well-trained athletes.

Effect of Ginseng Intake on Muscle Damage Induced by Exercise in Healthy Adults

“…Gislaine Cristina-Souza et al [ 28 ] reported a better response in muscle excitation and subjective perception of effort due to the consumption of 100 mg/kg/day of PG in 10 athletic subjects after eccentric strength work. This is the only randomised intervention study with crossover groups in which the subjects analyzed are athletes.…”

“…Therefore, we obtain objective evidence on the direct relationship between ginseng consumption and muscle regeneration. On the other hand, Cristina-Souza [ 28 ] and her collaborators studied muscle regeneration of subjects through voluntary muscle excitation. In this article, it was found that those who used the PG supplement recovered muscle arousal levels after exercise more quickly than those who did not ingest it.…”

Korean Red Ginseng Ameliorates Fatigue via Modulation of 5-HT and Corticosterone in a Sleep-Deprived Mouse Model

“…The 5-HT hyperactivity in the CNS is the most well-known alteration in neurotransmitters that inhibits proprioceptive sensory and muscular contractions [ 28 ]. Ginseng improves physical function in both healthy individuals and subjects complaining of fatigue [ 14 , 29 ]. Likewise, in the present study, KRG improved exercise performance in the rotarod test under both normal conditions and after SD ( Figure 2 B,C).…”

Nutritional Compounds to Improve Post-Exercise Recovery

“…The consumption of ginseng has been associated with improved muscle force recovery following muscle-damaging exercise when taken acutely, in two doses (4000 mg pre- and post-exercise) [ 241 ] or for 8 days (100 mg/day) spanning the pre- and post-exercise periods [ 242 ], despite no concurrent change in blood markers of muscle damage [ 241 , 242 ]. There is also some evidence that acute (5000 mg) [ 243 ] or longer-term (1200 mg/day for 4 weeks) [ 244 ] supplementation with ginseng may reduce blood markers of muscular fatigue (lactate) following exercise.…”