Improved Oxygen Saturation and Performance of Athletes using Cordyceps militaris

Background and Objective: Athletes put a lot of energy to compete with their fellow athletes. Here energy and performance difference among the top 10% athletes is very little. Hence athletes will be constantly improving their energy and performance by doing practice and supplementations. Hence, the objective is to evaluate Cordyceps for improved athlete performance. Materials and Methods: In the present study, 48 athletes of age group 16-35 were divided into four groups of 12 athletes each and supplemented with blind plebaco control, Cordyceps militaris active mushroom infusion 1g/day test, 10 g/day way protein control and another group supplemented with Cordyceps militaris active mushroom infusion 1 and 10 g/day way protein. All the groups were supplemented for 3 weeks and athletes were tested for oxygen saturation as SpO₂ and fatigue time as the time athlete can run on the treadmill and on track for running 5 km and 200 m distance. Haematological studies were analysed in blood samples collected before and after supplementation studies with treadmill and running tests. Results: It was observed that in Cordyceps militaris supplemented group oxygen saturation is high (95%) heart rate is stabilized (90±5), running time for 5 km (13.5 min) and 200 m (25 sec) is significantly less than the control. Fatigue on a treadmill is decreased by 2.5 fold compared to control. In Cordyceps militaris supplemented subjects, RBC size increased leading to an increase in Hb, HCT, oxygen carrying capacity and oxygen flow and leading to oxygen saturation and reduced fatigue. Conclusion: Only Cordyceps-supplemented subjects showed better performance with oxygen saturation and less fatigue compared to Cordyceps and protein supplemented subjects.