Increased Aerobic Capacity in Healthy Elderly Humans Given a Fermentation Product of Cordyceps Cs-4

Authors: Xiao, Y.; Huang, X. Z.; Chen, G.; Wang, M. B.; Zhu, J. S.; Cooper, C. B. FACSM

Journal: Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise

Study Design: Double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Participants: 30 healthy, elderly Chinese subjects

Intervention: The subjects were randomly assigned to receive either:

• Cs-4 (3 g/day) for 6 weeks
• Identical placebo capsules for 6 weeks

Outcome Measures:

• Exercise performance was tested before and after 6 weeks of treatment using a symptom-limited, incremental work rate protocol on a cycle ergometer
• Maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max)
• Anaerobic thresholds (VO2θ)

Summary: The study investigated the effect of Cs-4, a fermentation product of Cordyceps sinensis, on exercise capacity. The results showed that after 6 weeks of Cs-4 treatment, there was a significant increase in VO2max and VO2θ, whereas the placebo group showed no changes. These findings suggest that Cs-4 has the potential for improving exercise capacity and resistance to fatigue.