Effect of Cs-4 (Cordyceps sinensis) on Exercise Performance in Healthy Older Subjects: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Authors: Steve Chen, Zhaoping Li, Robert Krochmal, Marlon Abrazado, Woosong Kim, and Christopher B. Cooper

Journal: The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine

Study Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Participants: 20 healthy elderly subjects (age 50-75 years)

Intervention:

• Cs-4 group: 333 mg Cs-4 capsules three times a day for 12 weeks
  
• Placebo group: Placebo capsules three times a day for 12 weeks
  

Outcome Measures:

• Metabolic threshold (the point during exercise at which lactate begins to accumulate)
  
• Ventilatory threshold (the point during exercise at which ventilation increases disproportionately to oxygen uptake)
  
• Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max)
  

Summary: The study investigated the effects of Cs-4, a fermentation product of Cordyceps sinensis, on exercise performance in healthy older adults. The results showed that Cs-4 supplementation significantly increased both the metabolic threshold (by 10.5%) and the ventilatory threshold (by 8.5%) compared to the placebo group. These findings suggest that Cs-4 may improve exercise performance and contribute to overall wellness in healthy older individuals. No significant changes were observed in VO2max in either group.