Effect of Black Maca Supplementation on Inflammatory Markers and Physical Fitness in Male Elite Athletes

Abstract

Given the current lack of studies, the primary purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of black maca supplementation intake on changes in physical strength and inflammatory markers among elite athletes. Forty-four elite athletes were recruited for the present study. They included shooting athletes, racket sports athletes, and fin swimming athletes. The intake capsules contained 2500 mg of 100% concentrated black maca extract. Participants were instructed to take one capsule twice a day for eight weeks with pure water. Changes were seen in the ATP-PC systems and aerobic energy systems, particularly in the fin swimming athletes requiring aerobic energy systems. This effect is caused by increased antioxidant activity and influenced mitochondrial biosynthesis regulatory factors due to black maca supplementation intake. These findings provide preliminary evidence that elite athletes will benefit from taking black maca to improve their inflammation levels and physical fitness.

Not All Maca Is Created Equal: A Review of Colors, Nutrition, Phytochemicals, and Clinical Uses

“…Summary of published clinical trials using black maca, modified from [182]. [173] in 40 elite athletes: shooting athletes (SA), racket sports athletes (RSA), fin swimming athletes (FSA) Species: Lepidium meyenii Product: Not stated Location/Cultivation: Not stated Form: 100% concentrated black maca extract Dose and Route: 2300 mg twice daily in the AM and PM Evaluation of parameters using a digital grip dynamometer and a battery of physical exercises revealed significant increases after black maca supplementation in muscle endurance (p < 0.01 for SA group, p < 0.05 for RSA group), agility (p < 0.05 for SA and RSA groups), muscle strength (p < 0.01 for FSA group), flexibility (p < 0.01 for FSH group), and power (p < 0.05 for RSA group; p < 0.001 for FSA group. After taking black maca for eight weeks, significant differences in lactic acid (mg/dL) (p < 0.05) and total cholesterol (TC, mg/dL) were noted in the SA group (p < 0.01); TC (p < 0.01) and CRP (p < 0.01) in the RSA group; and lactic acid (p < 0.05), TC (p < 0.001), and CRP (p < 0.001) in the FSA group.…”

“…Using spray-dried extracts, Zevallos-Concha et al found that black maca had greater polyphenol content and antioxidant potential than red maca [ 172 ]. Its high polyphenol level and antioxidant potential, while also shared by red maca, may be responsible, in part, for some of its functions listed below, including its ability to increase physical endurance [ 172 , 173 ].…”

“…The overview of research suggests that black maca supports men’s fertility, spermatogenesis in animals [ 4 , 5 , 29 , 30 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 174 , 175 ], memory [ 4 , 37 ], and physical endurance in both men and women [ 4 , 49 , 173 ]. A systematic review by Lee et al [ 35 ] investigated the evidence for maca supplementation in improving semen quality in both infertile and healthy men.…”

“…In a clinical trial, 44 elite athletes of different types (shooting, racket sports, swimming) took 2500 mg of 100% concentrated black maca extract twice daily for eight weeks [ 173 ]. The findings revealed decreased inflammation, improved mitochondrial biogenesis, and improved physical fitness and performance in some athletic groups [ 173 ].…”

Effects of Black Maca supplement on isokinetics muscular performance of elite women’s handball players: placebo-controlled, crossover study

“…Participants were instructed to take one capsule twice a day with water for 4 weeks, without any designated time of day. BM intake was determined using methods described in previous studies (11).…”