HealthyNCT07082985
Effects of Maca Supplementation on Badminton-specific Exercise Performance
A study testing Maca (Maca trial) in people with Healthy and Athletes, run by China Medical University Hospital at 1 site in Taiwan.
Trial summary
This study aims to investigate whether a 14-day short-term supplementation of Maca can effectively mitigate oxidative stress and fatigue induced by badminton competition. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 26 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- What is being tested?
- Maca (Maca trial)
- Type of treatment
- Pill or oral medicine
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 12 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTaiwan
- Study dates
- 1 Sep 2023to 17 Jan 2024
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 26 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Badminton athletes aged between 18 and 26 years.
- Each with at least three years of playing experience and a regular exercise routine.
Who cannot join
- Have smoking and drinking habits.
- People who feel unwell due to other reasons during the experiment.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Effects of Maca Supplementation on Badminton-specific Exercise Performance: Indicators of Exercise-Induced Fatigue and Oxidative Stress
This study aims to investigate whether a 14-day short-term supplementation of Maca can effectively mitigate oxidative stress and fatigue induced by badminton competition.
Read the detailed description
Maca possesses antioxidant and anti-fatigue properties, which may have potential positive effects on athletic performance. This study integrates Maca's physiological characteristics with the sport-specific demands of badminton to examine its impact on athletic performance. The experiment is designed as a single-blind, crossover trial involving 12 participants, each undergoing two trials: a placebo trial and a Maca supplementation trial, with a supplementation period of 14 days for both conditions.
On the test day, participants will be provided with a meal adjusted according to their body weight and will orally consume either Maca or a placebo capsule. After a one-hour rest period, they will perform a simulated badminton match. At the end of each game, participants will complete a 30-second cycling anaerobic power test, followed by a 1-minute and 30-second rest before starting the next game.
Finally, participants will undergo an aerobic capacity assessment through a badminton-specific progressive endurance test, which will continue until exhaustion. Blood samples will be collected both before and after the simulated badminton match for analysis of oxidative stress markers, including malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), as well as fatigue markers, such as blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatine kinase (CK). Additionally, the total duration of the badminton-specific progressive endurance test will be recorded.
Furthermore, to assess participants' psychological states, the Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire will be administered after both the simulated badminton match and the badminton-specific progressive endurance test.
- Being tested
- Placebo (Placebo trial), Maca (Maca trial)
- Keywords
- Black maca, Fatigue, Badminton
- Medical subject headings
- Fatigue
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Placebo (Placebo trial)Other
The Placebo capsule supplement was taken for 14 days (4 capsules per day)
Maca (Maca trial)Other
The Maca capsule supplement was taken for 14 days, with a daily dosage of 1600 mg of Maca (equivalent to 4 capsules per day, each containing 400 mg of Maca).
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Placebo | Placebo comparator | Containing edible yellow No. 4, edible yellow No. 5, sucrose, silica, talc, oxidized starch, gelatin, magnesium stearate, and palm wax. Receives: Other: Placebo (Placebo trial); Other: Maca (Maca trial) |
| Maca | Experimental | Each capsule containing 400 mg of Maca Receives: Other: Placebo (Placebo trial); Other: Maca (Maca trial) |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Badminton specific endurance test
The research assistant will mark four points on the ground in a Y-shape configuration, with each target point positioned 3 meters away from the central point. The participant begins at the central point (P0). The participant must move to the upper-right Marker 1 (P1), touch the marker with the racket, and immediately return to P0. Next, the participant proceeds to Marker 2 (P2), touches it with the racket, and returns to P0. Then, the participant moves backward to Marker 3 (P3), and performs a badminton-specific turning jump along the central line to simulate a rear-court shot scenario, before returning again to P0. This entire sequence constitutes one round. The next round begins immediately after the previous one ends. This test is based on the average time of approximately 210 seconds reported by Wonish et al. (2003) for completing the test. The number of Y-shaped rounds completed within this total time is recorded as the participant's endurance performance.
Measured: Including for 2 days in both crossover trials (which lasts around 35 days).
Assessment of the profile of mood state (POMS)
POMS brief was chosen for this study to evaluate the mood of individuals. After the "Badminton stimulation test" and "Badminton specific endurance test", participants completed the form, and their responses were analyzed using simple statistics. The results were shown in six dimensions, one positive: (1) vigor; and five negatives: (2) tension, (3) depression, (4) anger, (5) fatigue and (6) confusion.
Measured: Including for 2 days in both crossover trials (which lasts around 35 days).
Clinical Biochemistry of antioxidant and antifatigue biomarkers
Blood sample were collected at two time points (before and after the badminton stimulation test). According to the manufacturer's instructions, Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) activity was determined using a commercial SOD activity assay kit, with absorbance analyzed via enzyme immunoassay. A commercial Uric Acid (UA) detection kit was used, and absorbance at 520 nm was measured using an automated enzyme immunoassay analyzer. For Creatine Kinase (CK), blood samples were collected and centrifuged at 1000 g for 20 minutes, with 0.5 mL of serum used for analysis. Absorbance was measured using an automated analyzer
Measured: Including for 2 days in both crossover trials (which lasts around 35 days).
30-second Wingate Test
First, participants performed a 5-minute warm-up on a stationary 894E cycle ergometer with adjustable resistance at a low workload (50 W). Following the warm-up, resistance was set based on body weight (kg × 0.075), and participants completed three bouts of maximal effort sprints, each lasting 5 seconds. Between each sprint, participants pedaled at 50 W for 45 seconds as active recovery. During the test, strong verbal encouragement was provided by the staff to ensure maximal effort. For the main test, participants began pedaling at a cadence of 60 rpm. A verbal countdown (3, 2, 1) was given at an audible volume, and upon hearing the whistle, participants were instructed to immediately pedal with maximal speed and power for 30 seconds. The total and mean power output accumulated during the 30-second anaerobic performance test were recorded as indicators of anaerobic capacity.
Measured: Including for 2 days in both crossover trials (which lasts around 35 days).
Secondary outcomes (1)
Badminton stimulation test
The simulated badminton matches in this trial followed the most recent international competition rules established by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) in 2006, which adopt the "3 × 21 rally point scoring system." Participants were matched with opponents of similar skill levels based on a comprehensive assessment of their previous badminton performance (e.g., rankings, match footage review). The same opponent was used in both trials (Maca supplementation and placebo conditions). During the official test, each participant competed in a three-game singles, where the first player to reach 21 points wins the game. If the score reaches 20-20, the game continues until one player leads by two consecutive points or reaches 30 points first. All other match rules, such as scoring, fouls, and court changes, adhered strictly to official BWF regulations.
Measured: Including for 2 days in both crossover trials (which lasts around 35 days).
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted24 Jul 2025
- Study start1 Sep 2023
- Primary completion11 Oct 2023
- Study completion17 Jan 2024
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for HealthyStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Model description
- The study recruited twelve badminton athletes aged between 18 and 26 years, all of whom engage in regular physical training. Participants were crossed over for Maca or placebo supplements, which could be ended in two days.
- Masking
- Quadruple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 12 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- China Medical University Hospital
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Science and Technology Council, China Medical University, Taiwan
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Jung-Piao Tsao, China Medical University Hospital
- Investigators
- Jung-Piao Tsao, Study chair, China Medical University, China
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07082985
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- CMUH112-REC2-148
- Status last verified
- Jul 2025
- First submitted
- 17 Jul 2025
- Last updated
- 24 Jul 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 24 Jul 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Maca Supplementation on Badminton-specific Exercise Performance: Indicators of Exercise-Induced Fatigue and Oxidative Stress
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07082985
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- CMUH112-REC2-148
- Keywords
- Black maca, Fatigue, Badminton
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 12 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- China Medical University HospitalUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Science and Technology Council, China Medical University, Taiwan
- Study start
- 1 Sep 2023 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 11 Oct 2023 (actual)
- Study completion
- 17 Jan 2024 (actual)
- First posted
- 24 Jul 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study aims to investigate whether a 14-day short-term supplementation of Maca can effectively mitigate oxidative stress and fatigue induced by badminton competition.
Detailed description
Maca possesses antioxidant and anti-fatigue properties, which may have potential positive effects on athletic performance. This study integrates Maca's physiological characteristics with the sport-specific demands of badminton to examine its impact on athletic performance. The experiment is designed as a single-blind, crossover trial involving 12 participants, each undergoing two trials: a placebo trial and a Maca supplementation trial, with a supplementation period of 14 days for both conditions.
On the test day, participants will be provided with a meal adjusted according to their body weight and will orally consume either Maca or a placebo capsule. After a one-hour rest period, they will perform a simulated badminton match. At the end of each game, participants will complete a 30-second cycling anaerobic power test, followed by a 1-minute and 30-second rest before starting the next game.
Finally, participants will undergo an aerobic capacity assessment through a badminton-specific progressive endurance test, which will continue until exhaustion. Blood samples will be collected both before and after the simulated badminton match for analysis of oxidative stress markers, including malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), as well as fatigue markers, such as blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatine kinase (CK). Additionally, the total duration of the badminton-specific progressive endurance test will be recorded.
Furthermore, to assess participants' psychological states, the Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire will be administered after both the simulated badminton match and the badminton-specific progressive endurance test.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Quadruple blind (participant, care provider, investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- The study recruited twelve badminton athletes aged between 18 and 26 years, all of whom engage in regular physical training. Participants were crossed over for Maca or placebo supplements, which could be ended in two days.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Placebo | Placebo comparator | Other: Placebo (Placebo trial), Other: Maca (Maca trial)Containing edible yellow No. 4, edible yellow No. 5, sucrose, silica, talc, oxidized starch, gelatin, magnesium stearate, and palm wax. |
| Maca | Experimental | Other: Placebo (Placebo trial), Other: Maca (Maca trial)Each capsule containing 400 mg of Maca |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 26 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Badminton athletes aged between 18 and 26 years.
- Each with at least three years of playing experience and a regular exercise routine.
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Have smoking and drinking habits.
- People who feel unwell due to other reasons during the experiment.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Placebo (Placebo trial)The Placebo capsule supplement was taken for 14 days (4 capsules per day) | Other | Maca, Placebo |
| Maca (Maca trial)The Maca capsule supplement was taken for 14 days, with a daily dosage of 1600 mg of Maca (equivalent to 4 capsules per day, each containing 400 mg of Maca). | Other | Maca, Placebo |
Primary outcome
Badminton specific endurance test
Time frame: Including for 2 days in both crossover trials (which lasts around 35 days).
The research assistant will mark four points on the ground in a Y-shape configuration, with each target point positioned 3 meters away from the central point. The participant begins at the central point (P0). The participant must move to the upper-right Marker 1 (P1), touch the marker with the racket, and immediately return to P0. Next, the participant proceeds to Marker 2 (P2), touches it with the racket, and returns to P0. Then, the participant moves backward to Marker 3 (P3), and performs a badminton-specific turning jump along the central line to simulate a rear-court shot scenario, before returning again to P0. This entire sequence constitutes one round. The next round begins immediately after the previous one ends. This test is based on the average time of approximately 210 seconds reported by Wonish et al. (2003) for completing the test. The number of Y-shaped rounds completed within this total time is recorded as the participant's endurance performance.
Assessment of the profile of mood state (POMS)
Time frame: Including for 2 days in both crossover trials (which lasts around 35 days).
POMS brief was chosen for this study to evaluate the mood of individuals. After the "Badminton stimulation test" and "Badminton specific endurance test", participants completed the form, and their responses were analyzed using simple statistics. The results were shown in six dimensions, one positive: (1) vigor; and five negatives: (2) tension, (3) depression, (4) anger, (5) fatigue and (6) confusion.
Clinical Biochemistry of antioxidant and antifatigue biomarkers
Time frame: Including for 2 days in both crossover trials (which lasts around 35 days).
Blood sample were collected at two time points (before and after the badminton stimulation test). According to the manufacturer's instructions, Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) activity was determined using a commercial SOD activity assay kit, with absorbance analyzed via enzyme immunoassay. A commercial Uric Acid (UA) detection kit was used, and absorbance at 520 nm was measured using an automated enzyme immunoassay analyzer. For Creatine Kinase (CK), blood samples were collected and centrifuged at 1000 g for 20 minutes, with 0.5 mL of serum used for analysis. Absorbance was measured using an automated analyzer
30-second Wingate Test
Time frame: Including for 2 days in both crossover trials (which lasts around 35 days).
First, participants performed a 5-minute warm-up on a stationary 894E cycle ergometer with adjustable resistance at a low workload (50 W). Following the warm-up, resistance was set based on body weight (kg × 0.075), and participants completed three bouts of maximal effort sprints, each lasting 5 seconds. Between each sprint, participants pedaled at 50 W for 45 seconds as active recovery. During the test, strong verbal encouragement was provided by the staff to ensure maximal effort. For the main test, participants began pedaling at a cadence of 60 rpm. A verbal countdown (3, 2, 1) was given at an audible volume, and upon hearing the whistle, participants were instructed to immediately pedal with maximal speed and power for 30 seconds. The total and mean power output accumulated during the 30-second anaerobic performance test were recorded as indicators of anaerobic capacity.
1 secondary outcome
Badminton stimulation test
Time frame: Including for 2 days in both crossover trials (which lasts around 35 days).
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 24 Jul 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Jung-Piao Tsao study chair
China Medical University, China
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Maca (Maca trial) in people with Healthy and Athletes, run by China Medical University Hospital at 1 site in Taiwan.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 2 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 24 Jul 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Taiwan. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Badminton specific endurance test (time frame: Including for 2 days in both crossover trials (which lasts around 35 days).). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 24 Jul 2025.