Exercise RecoveryCORD-RECOVNCT07664345
Effect of Cordyceps Supplementation Timing on Physiological Responses and Aerobic Adaptation in Athletes
A study testing Pre-Exercise Cordyceps Sinensis and Post-Exercise Cordyceps Sinensis in people with Exercise Recovery and Exercise-induced Muscle Damage, run by Surabaya State University at 1 site in Indonesia.
Trial summary
Athletes frequently perform high-intensity exercise to improve physical performance and aerobic capacity. However, such training can induce exercise-induced muscle damage, oxidative stress, and inflammatory responses that may delay recovery and compromise subsequent training adaptations. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 19 to 21 years, men onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Exercise Recovery, Exercise-induced Muscle Damage, Oxidative Stress
- What is being tested?
- Pre-Exercise Cordyceps Sinensis and Post-Exercise Cordyceps Sinensis
- Type of treatment
- Pill or oral medicine
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 30 participants
- Where
- 1 siteIndonesia
- Study dates
- 9 Jun 2026to 10 Aug 2026
- 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 19 to 21 years
- Men only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Male participants aged 19-21 years.
- Students enrolled in the Sport Coaching Education Program (Pendidikan Kepelatihan Olahraga).
- Apparently healthy and free from known cardiovascular, metabolic, respiratory, neuromuscular, or musculoskeletal disorders that could affect participation in exercise training.
- Regularly participate in physical exercise at least three times per week during the previous three months.
- Willing to comply with all study procedures, exercise protocols, supplementation schedules, and assessment sessions.
- Provide written informed consent before participation.
Who cannot join
- Current injury or musculoskeletal condition that limits participation in exercise training.
- History of cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled hypertension, diabetes mellitus, respiratory disease, or other medical conditions that may increase exercise-related risk.
- Use of antioxidant supplements, herbal supplements, ergogenic aids, or anti-inflammatory medications within four weeks prior to study enrollment.
- Known allergy or hypersensitivity to Cordyceps or any component of the study supplements.
- Smoking or excessive alcohol consumption during the study period.
- Failure to comply with supplementation or exercise protocols.
- Participation in another research study during the study period.
- Participants presenting acute infection, fever, or inflammatory conditions within two weeks prior to baseline assessment.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Indonesia1 site
Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences
Surabaya, Jawa Timur - East Java, 60213
About this study
Official title: Optimization of Athlete Recovery: Effects of Cordyceps Supplementation Timing on Inflammatory Response, Oxidative Stress, Muscle Damage, and Aerobic Adaptation Following Acute and Chronic Exercise Training
Athletes frequently perform high-intensity exercise to improve physical performance and aerobic capacity. However, such training can induce exercise-induced muscle damage, oxidative stress, and inflammatory responses that may delay recovery and compromise subsequent training adaptations. Optimizing recovery strategies is therefore essential to maintain performance, reduce injury risk, and support long-term athletic development.
Cordyceps is a medicinal mushroom that contains several bioactive compounds, including cordycepin and polysaccharides, which have demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties. Although previous studies have reported beneficial effects of Cordyceps supplementation on exercise performance and physiological function, limited evidence exists regarding the optimal timing of supplementation relative to exercise.
Read more
This study aims to investigate the effects of different Cordyceps supplementation timing strategies on physiological responses and aerobic adaptation following acute and chronic exercise training. Participants will be assigned to receive Cordyceps supplementation before exercise, after exercise, or placebo. The study will evaluate biomarkers of inflammation (IL-6), oxidative stress (MDA), muscle damage (CK), aerobic capacity (VO2max), and neuromuscular performance assessed using countermovement jump (CMJ) testing.
The findings of this study are expected to provide evidence-based recommendations regarding nutritional recovery strategies and supplementation timing to optimize recovery and training adaptation in athletes and physically active individuals.
Read the detailed description
Background
Recovery is a fundamental component of the training process because physiological adaptation occurs not only during exercise but also during the recovery period following exercise-induced stress. High-intensity exercise is widely used to improve athletic performance and aerobic capacity; however, it is also associated with increased physiological stress, including exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD), oxidative stress, and inflammatory responses. Excessive accumulation of these responses may impair recovery, reduce training quality, increase injury risk, and contribute to non-functional overreaching or overtraining.
Exercise-induced physiological stress is commonly characterized by elevations in inflammatory biomarkers such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), muscle damage markers such as creatine kinase (CK), and oxidative stress markers such as malondialdehyde (MDA). Conversely, appropriate recovery interventions may facilitate restoration of physiological homeostasis and support positive training adaptations, including improvements in aerobic capacity.
Cordyceps is a medicinal fungus that contains several biologically active compounds, including cordycepin, polysaccharides, nucleosides, sterols, and phenolic compounds. Experimental and clinical studies have demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties of Cordyceps. These mechanisms suggest that Cordyceps supplementation may help attenuate exercise-induced physiological stress while supporting recovery and adaptation processes.
Despite increasing interest in Cordyceps supplementation among athletes, evidence regarding the influence of supplementation timing remains limited. Most previous studies have focused primarily on supplementation efficacy without specifically evaluating whether administration before exercise or after exercise produces differential physiological effects. Understanding the role of supplementation timing may contribute to the development of more effective recovery strategies in sports science.
Objectives
The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of Cordyceps supplementation timing on exercise-induced physiological responses and aerobic adaptation following acute and chronic exercise training.
Specific objectives include:
- To compare the effects of pre-exercise and post-exercise Cordyceps supplementation on inflammatory response, muscle damage, and oxidative stress following acute exercise.
- To compare the effects of pre-exercise and post-exercise Cordyceps supplementation on inflammatory response, muscle damage, oxidative stress, and aerobic capacity following chronic exercise training.
- To compare physiological responses among pre-exercise supplementation, post-exercise supplementation, and placebo groups.
- To evaluate the interaction between supplementation timing and exercise exposure on selected physiological biomarkers.
- To investigate the relationship between changes in oxidative stress, muscle damage, and aerobic adaptation.
Study Rationale
The scientific rationale of this study is based on the hypothesis that the timing of nutrient delivery may influence physiological responses to exercise. Supplementation administered before exercise may enhance physiological preparedness and reduce exercise-induced stress, whereas supplementation administered after exercise may facilitate recovery and tissue regeneration processes. Identifying the optimal timing strategy may improve recovery efficiency and maximize training adaptation.
Study Outcomes
The study will evaluate biomarkers associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, and muscle damage, including IL-6, MDA, and CK. Aerobic adaptation will be assessed through maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). In addition to biochemical markers and aerobic capacity, neuromuscular performance will be assessed using countermovement jump (CMJ) testing performed on a validated VALD system. CMJ variables will be used to evaluate lower-body power output and neuromuscular recovery status following acute and chronic exercise exposure.
Potential Significance
This study is expected to generate novel evidence regarding the role of Cordyceps supplementation timing in athletic recovery and adaptation. The findings may support the development of evidence-based nutritional strategies for athletes, coaches, sports scientists, and healthcare professionals. Furthermore, the study may contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between oxidative stress, inflammation, muscle damage, and aerobic adaptation during exercise training.
- Conditions
- Exercise Recovery, Exercise-induced Muscle Damage, Oxidative Stress, Sports Performance, Aerobic Capacity
- Being tested
- Pre-Exercise Cordyceps Sinensis, Post-Exercise Cordyceps Sinensis, Placebo
- Keywords
- Cordyceps, Cordyceps Supplementation, Supplement Timing, Exercise Recovery, Athletic Performance, Sports Nutrition, Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, Creatine Kinase, Interleukin-6, Malondialdehyde, VO2max, Countermovement Jump, VALD ForceDecks, Exercise Adaptation
- Medical subject headings
- Inflammation
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Pre-Exercise Cordyceps SinensisDietary supplement
Also called cordyceps
Participants in the pre-exercise group received 200 mg of a 10:1 Cordyceps sinensis CS-4 extract per administration (equivalent to 2,000 mg of raw Cordyceps material), with two capsules administered approximately 11 hours and 1 hour before each exercise session. Supplementation was provided three times per week for 4 weeks. The intervention is designed to evaluate the effects of pre-exercise supplementation timing on inflammatory response (IL-6), oxidative stress (MDA), muscle damage (CK), countermovement jump (CMJ) performance, and aerobic adaptation (VO2max).
Post-Exercise Cordyceps SinensisDietary supplement
Also called Cordyceps
Participants in the post-exercise group received 200 mg of a 10:1 Cordyceps sinensis CS-4 extract (equivalent to 2,000 mg of raw Cordyceps material; two capsules) immediately after each exercise session, three times per week for 4 weeks. The intervention is designed to evaluate the effects of post-exercise supplementation timing on inflammatory response (IL-6), oxidative stress (MDA), muscle damage (CK), countermovement jump (CMJ) performance, and aerobic adaptation (VO2max).
PlaceboOther
Participants received two placebo capsules immediately after each exercise session, three times per week for 4 weeks. The placebo capsules contained the same excipient base without Cordyceps sinensis extract and were identical to the active capsules in appearance, size, packaging, and administration procedure to maintain blinding. and serves as the control condition for comparison of physiological and performance outcomes.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Exercise Cordyceps | Experimental | Participants receive Cordyceps supplementation twice prior to exercise sessions, with administration occurring approximately 11 hours and 1 hour before exercise. This intervention is designed to evaluate the effects of pre-exercise supplementation timing on inflammatory response, oxidative stress, muscle damage, neuromuscular performance, and aerobic adaptation following acute and chronic exercise training. Receives: Dietary Supplement: Pre-Exercise Cordyceps Sinensis |
| Post-Exercise Cordyceps | Experimental | Participants receive Cordyceps supplementation immediately after completion of each exercise session. This intervention is designed to evaluate the effects of post-exercise supplementation timing on physiological recovery, neuromuscular performance, and aerobic adaptation following acute and chronic exercise training. Receives: Dietary Supplement: Post-Exercise Cordyceps Sinensis |
| Placebo | Placebo comparator | Participants receive placebo capsules matched in appearance and administration schedule to the Cordyceps supplementation groups. The placebo group serves as the control condition for comparison of physiological and performance outcomes. Receives: Other: Placebo |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Interleukin-6 (IL-6)
Serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentration measured as a biomarker of exercise-induced inflammatory response following acute and chronic exercise training.
Measured: Baseline, 1 hour, 24 hours, and 48 hours following acute exercise; baseline and after 4 weeks of chronic exercise training with measurements obtained at 1 hour, 24 hours, and 48 hours following the final training session.
Creatine Kinase (CK)
Serum creatine kinase (CK) concentration measured as a biomarker of exercise-induced muscle damage following acute and chronic exercise training.
Measured: Baseline, 1 hour, 24 hours, and 48 hours following acute exercise; baseline and after 4 weeks of chronic exercise training with measurements obtained at 1 hour, 24 hours, and 48 hours following the final training session.
Malondialdehyde (MDA)
Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration measured as a biomarker of oxidative stress following acute and chronic exercise training.
Measured: Baseline, 1 hour, 24 hours, and 48 hours following acute exercise; baseline and after 4 weeks of chronic exercise training with measurements obtained at 1 hour, 24 hours, and 48 hours following the final training session.
Maximal Oxygen Uptake (VO2max)
Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) assessed as an indicator of aerobic capacity and chronic training adaptation.
Measured: Baseline and after 4 weeks of chronic exercise training.
Secondary outcomes (1)
Countermovement Jump (CMJ) Performance
Countermovement jump performance assessed using the VALD ForceDecks system as an indicator of neuromuscular function and recovery following acute and chronic exercise training.
Measured: Baseline, 1 hour, 24 hours, and 48 hours following acute exercise; baseline and after 4 weeks of chronic exercise training with measurements obtained at 1 hour, 24 hours, and 48 hours following the final training session.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted24 Jun 2026
- Study start9 Jun 2026
- Primary completion1 Aug 2026
- Study completion10 Aug 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (4)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Exercise RecoveryStudies 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
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three parallel groups: (1) pre-exercise Cordyceps supplementation, (2) post-exercise Cordyceps supplementation, or (3) placebo. Participants will remain in their assigned group throughout the study period. The study will evaluate the effects of supplementation timing on inflammatory response, oxidative stress, muscle damage, neuromuscular performance, and aerobic adaptation following acute and chronic exercise training.
- Masking
- Triple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Surabaya State University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Bayu Agung Pramono, Surabaya State University
- Investigators
- Nining W Kusnanik, Dr., Study chair, Surabaya State UniversityAgus Hariyanto, Dr., Study director, Surabaya State University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07664345
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- B/41816/UN38.16/TU.00.02/202
- Other IDs
- UNESA-S3IK-2026-01
- Acronym
- CORD-RECOV
- Status last verified
- Aug 2026
- First submitted
- 17 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 25 Aug 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: Individual participant data (IPD) that underlie the results reported in publications, after de-identification, will be made available to qualified researchers upon reasonable request. Data sharing will be permitted for scientifically sound research purposes following publication of the primary study results. Requests for access to the data will be reviewed by the principal investigator and must comply with institutional and ethical requirements. Supporting documents, including the study protocol and statistical analysis plan, may also be made available upon request.
Publications
Peake, J. M. (2019). ScienceDirect Recovery after exercise : what is the current state of play ? Current Opinion in Psychology, 10, 17-26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cophys.2019.03.007
Choi E, Oh J, Sung GH. Beneficial Effect of Cordyceps militaris on Exercise Performance via Promoting Cellular Energy Production. Mycobiology. 2020 Nov 9;48(6):512-517. doi: 10.1080/12298093.2020.1831135.
PubMed 33312018Dewi L, Liao YC, Jean WH, Huang KC, Huang CY, Chen LK, Nicholls A, Lai LF, Kuo CH. Cordyceps sinensis accelerates stem cell recruitment to human skeletal muscle after exercise. Food Funct. 2024 Apr 22;15(8):4010-4020. doi: 10.1039/d3fo03770c.
PubMed 38501161Hirsch KR, Smith-Ryan AE, Roelofs EJ, Trexler ET, Mock MG. Cordyceps militaris Improves Tolerance to High-Intensity Exercise After Acute and Chronic Supplementation. J Diet Suppl. 2017 Jan 2;14(1):42-53. doi: 10.1080/19390211.2016.1203386. Epub 2016 Jul 13.
PubMed 27408987
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 25 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Optimization of Athlete Recovery: Effects of Cordyceps Supplementation Timing on Inflammatory Response, Oxidative Stress, Muscle Damage, and Aerobic Adaptation Following Acute and Chronic Exercise Training
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07664345
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- CORD-RECOV / B/41816/UN38.16/TU.00.02/202
- Conditions
- Exercise Recovery, Exercise-induced Muscle Damage, Oxidative Stress, Sports Performance, Aerobic Capacity
- Keywords
- Cordyceps, Cordyceps Supplementation, Supplement Timing, Exercise Recovery, Athletic Performance, Sports Nutrition, Oxidative Stress, Inflammation
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Surabaya State UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 9 Jun 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Aug 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 10 Aug 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 24 Jun 2026 (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.
Athletes frequently perform high-intensity exercise to improve physical performance and aerobic capacity. However, such training can induce exercise-induced muscle damage, oxidative stress, and inflammatory responses that may delay recovery and compromise subsequent training adaptations. Optimizing recovery strategies is therefore essential to maintain performance, reduce injury risk, and support long-term athletic development.
Cordyceps is a medicinal mushroom that contains several bioactive compounds, including cordycepin and polysaccharides, which have demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties. Although previous studies have reported beneficial effects of Cordyceps supplementation on exercise performance and physiological function, limited evidence exists regarding the optimal timing of supplementation relative to exercise.
This study aims to investigate the effects of different Cordyceps supplementation timing strategies on physiological responses and aerobic adaptation following acute and chronic exercise training. Participants will be assigned to receive Cordyceps supplementation before exercise, after exercise, or placebo. The study will evaluate biomarkers of inflammation (IL-6), oxidative stress (MDA), muscle damage (CK), aerobic capacity (VO2max), and neuromuscular performance assessed using countermovement jump (CMJ) testing.
The findings of this study are expected to provide evidence-based recommendations regarding nutritional recovery strategies and supplementation timing to optimize recovery and training adaptation in athletes and physically active individuals.
Detailed description
Background
Recovery is a fundamental component of the training process because physiological adaptation occurs not only during exercise but also during the recovery period following exercise-induced stress. High-intensity exercise is widely used to improve athletic performance and aerobic capacity; however, it is also associated with increased physiological stress, including exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD), oxidative stress, and inflammatory responses. Excessive accumulation of these responses may impair recovery, reduce training quality, increase injury risk, and contribute to non-functional overreaching or overtraining.
Exercise-induced physiological stress is commonly characterized by elevations in inflammatory biomarkers such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), muscle damage markers such as creatine kinase (CK), and oxidative stress markers such as malondialdehyde (MDA). Conversely, appropriate recovery interventions may facilitate restoration of physiological homeostasis and support positive training adaptations, including improvements in aerobic capacity.
Cordyceps is a medicinal fungus that contains several biologically active compounds, including cordycepin, polysaccharides, nucleosides, sterols, and phenolic compounds. Experimental and clinical studies have demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties of Cordyceps. These mechanisms suggest that Cordyceps supplementation may help attenuate exercise-induced physiological stress while supporting recovery and adaptation processes.
Despite increasing interest in Cordyceps supplementation among athletes, evidence regarding the influence of supplementation timing remains limited. Most previous studies have focused primarily on supplementation efficacy without specifically evaluating whether administration before exercise or after exercise produces differential physiological effects. Understanding the role of supplementation timing may contribute to the development of more effective recovery strategies in sports science.
Objectives
The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of Cordyceps supplementation timing on exercise-induced physiological responses and aerobic adaptation following acute and chronic exercise training.
Specific objectives include:
- To compare the effects of pre-exercise and post-exercise Cordyceps supplementation on inflammatory response, muscle damage, and oxidative stress following acute exercise.
- To compare the effects of pre-exercise and post-exercise Cordyceps supplementation on inflammatory response, muscle damage, oxidative stress, and aerobic capacity following chronic exercise training.
- To compare physiological responses among pre-exercise supplementation, post-exercise supplementation, and placebo groups.
- To evaluate the interaction between supplementation timing and exercise exposure on selected physiological biomarkers.
- To investigate the relationship between changes in oxidative stress, muscle damage, and aerobic adaptation.
Study Rationale
The scientific rationale of this study is based on the hypothesis that the timing of nutrient delivery may influence physiological responses to exercise. Supplementation administered before exercise may enhance physiological preparedness and reduce exercise-induced stress, whereas supplementation administered after exercise may facilitate recovery and tissue regeneration processes. Identifying the optimal timing strategy may improve recovery efficiency and maximize training adaptation.
Study Outcomes
The study will evaluate biomarkers associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, and muscle damage, including IL-6, MDA, and CK. Aerobic adaptation will be assessed through maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). In addition to biochemical markers and aerobic capacity, neuromuscular performance will be assessed using countermovement jump (CMJ) testing performed on a validated VALD system. CMJ variables will be used to evaluate lower-body power output and neuromuscular recovery status following acute and chronic exercise exposure.
Potential Significance
This study is expected to generate novel evidence regarding the role of Cordyceps supplementation timing in athletic recovery and adaptation. The findings may support the development of evidence-based nutritional strategies for athletes, coaches, sports scientists, and healthcare professionals. Furthermore, the study may contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between oxidative stress, inflammation, muscle damage, and aerobic adaptation during exercise training.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind (participant, investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 3
- Model description
- Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three parallel groups: (1) pre-exercise Cordyceps supplementation, (2) post-exercise Cordyceps supplementation, or (3) placebo. Participants will remain in their assigned group throughout the study period. The study will evaluate the effects of supplementation timing on inflammatory response, oxidative stress, muscle damage, neuromuscular performance, and aerobic adaptation following acute and chronic exercise training.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Exercise Cordyceps | Experimental | Dietary Supplement: Pre-Exercise Cordyceps SinensisParticipants receive Cordyceps supplementation twice prior to exercise sessions, with administration occurring approximately 11 hours and 1 hour before exercise. This intervention is designed to evaluate the effects of pre-exercise supplementation timing on inflammatory response, oxidative stress, muscle damage, neuromuscular performance, and aerobic adaptation following acute and chronic exercise training. |
| Post-Exercise Cordyceps | Experimental | Dietary Supplement: Post-Exercise Cordyceps SinensisParticipants receive Cordyceps supplementation immediately after completion of each exercise session. This intervention is designed to evaluate the effects of post-exercise supplementation timing on physiological recovery, neuromuscular performance, and aerobic adaptation following acute and chronic exercise training. |
| Placebo | Placebo comparator | Other: PlaceboParticipants receive placebo capsules matched in appearance and administration schedule to the Cordyceps supplementation groups. The placebo group serves as the control condition for comparison of physiological and performance outcomes. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 19 to 21 years
- Sex
- Male only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Male participants aged 19-21 years.
- Students enrolled in the Sport Coaching Education Program (Pendidikan Kepelatihan Olahraga).
- Apparently healthy and free from known cardiovascular, metabolic, respiratory, neuromuscular, or musculoskeletal disorders that could affect participation in exercise training.
- Regularly participate in physical exercise at least three times per week during the previous three months.
- Willing to comply with all study procedures, exercise protocols, supplementation schedules, and assessment sessions.
Key exclusion criteria (8 listed)
- Current injury or musculoskeletal condition that limits participation in exercise training.
- History of cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled hypertension, diabetes mellitus, respiratory disease, or other medical conditions that may increase exercise-related risk.
- Use of antioxidant supplements, herbal supplements, ergogenic aids, or anti-inflammatory medications within four weeks prior to study enrollment.
- Known allergy or hypersensitivity to Cordyceps or any component of the study supplements.
- Smoking or excessive alcohol consumption during the study period.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Exercise Cordyceps SinensisAlso: cordycepsParticipants in the pre-exercise group received 200 mg of a 10:1 Cordyceps sinensis CS-4 extract per administration (equivalent to 2,000 mg of raw Cordyceps material), with two capsules administered approximately 11 hours and 1 hour before each exercise session. Supplementation was provided three times per week for 4 weeks. The intervention is designed to evaluate the effects of pre-exercise supplementation timing on inflammatory response (IL-6), oxidative stress (MDA), muscle damage (CK), countermovement jump (CMJ) performance, and aerobic adaptation (VO2max). | Dietary supplement | Pre-Exercise Cordyceps |
| Post-Exercise Cordyceps SinensisAlso: CordycepsParticipants in the post-exercise group received 200 mg of a 10:1 Cordyceps sinensis CS-4 extract (equivalent to 2,000 mg of raw Cordyceps material; two capsules) immediately after each exercise session, three times per week for 4 weeks. The intervention is designed to evaluate the effects of post-exercise supplementation timing on inflammatory response (IL-6), oxidative stress (MDA), muscle damage (CK), countermovement jump (CMJ) performance, and aerobic adaptation (VO2max). | Dietary supplement | Post-Exercise Cordyceps |
| PlaceboParticipants received two placebo capsules immediately after each exercise session, three times per week for 4 weeks. The placebo capsules contained the same excipient base without Cordyceps sinensis extract and were identical to the active capsules in appearance, size, packaging, and administration procedure to maintain blinding. and serves as the control condition for comparison of physiological and performance outcomes. | Other | Placebo |
Primary outcome
Interleukin-6 (IL-6)
Time frame: Baseline, 1 hour, 24 hours, and 48 hours following acute exercise; baseline and after 4 weeks of chronic exercise training with measurements obtained at 1 hour, 24 hours, and 48 hours following the final training session.
Serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentration measured as a biomarker of exercise-induced inflammatory response following acute and chronic exercise training.
Creatine Kinase (CK)
Time frame: Baseline, 1 hour, 24 hours, and 48 hours following acute exercise; baseline and after 4 weeks of chronic exercise training with measurements obtained at 1 hour, 24 hours, and 48 hours following the final training session.
Serum creatine kinase (CK) concentration measured as a biomarker of exercise-induced muscle damage following acute and chronic exercise training.
Malondialdehyde (MDA)
Time frame: Baseline, 1 hour, 24 hours, and 48 hours following acute exercise; baseline and after 4 weeks of chronic exercise training with measurements obtained at 1 hour, 24 hours, and 48 hours following the final training session.
Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration measured as a biomarker of oxidative stress following acute and chronic exercise training.
Maximal Oxygen Uptake (VO2max)
Time frame: Baseline and after 4 weeks of chronic exercise training.
Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) assessed as an indicator of aerobic capacity and chronic training adaptation.
1 secondary outcome
Countermovement Jump (CMJ) Performance
Time frame: Baseline, 1 hour, 24 hours, and 48 hours following acute exercise; baseline and after 4 weeks of chronic exercise training with measurements obtained at 1 hour, 24 hours, and 48 hours following the final training session.
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 25 Aug 2026.
- BackgroundPeake, J. M. (2019). ScienceDirect Recovery after exercise : what is the current state of play ? Current Opinion in Psychology, 10, 17-26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cophys.2019.03.007
- Background: PubMed 33312018Choi E, Oh J, Sung GH. Beneficial Effect of Cordyceps militaris on Exercise Performance via Promoting Cellular Energy Production. Mycobiology. 2020 Nov 9;48(6):512-517. doi: 10.1080/12298093.2020.1831135.
- Background: PubMed 38501161Dewi L, Liao YC, Jean WH, Huang KC, Huang CY, Chen LK, Nicholls A, Lai LF, Kuo CH. Cordyceps sinensis accelerates stem cell recruitment to human skeletal muscle after exercise. Food Funct. 2024 Apr 22;15(8):4010-4020. doi: 10.1039/d3fo03770c.
- Background: PubMed 27408987Hirsch KR, Smith-Ryan AE, Roelofs EJ, Trexler ET, Mock MG. Cordyceps militaris Improves Tolerance to High-Intensity Exercise After Acute and Chronic Supplementation. J Diet Suppl. 2017 Jan 2;14(1):42-53. doi: 10.1080/19390211.2016.1203386. Epub 2016 Jul 13.
- Study SponsorLink provided by the sponsor.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. Individual participant data (IPD) that underlie the results reported in publications, after de-identification, will be made available to qualified researchers upon reasonable request. Data sharing will be permitted for scientifically sound research purposes following publication of the primary study results. Requests for access to the data will be reviewed by the principal investigator and must comply with institutional and ethical requirements. Supporting documents, including the study protocol and statistical analysis plan, may also be made available upon request.
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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.
Nining W Kusnanik, Dr. study chair
Surabaya State University
Agus Hariyanto, Dr. study director
Surabaya State University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Pre-Exercise Cordyceps Sinensis and Post-Exercise Cordyceps Sinensis in people with Exercise Recovery and Exercise-induced Muscle Damage, run by Surabaya State University at 1 site in Indonesia.
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 6 inclusion and 8 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 25 Aug 2026. 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 Indonesia. 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?
Interleukin-6 (IL-6) (time frame: Baseline, 1 hour, 24 hours, and 48 hours following acute exercise; baseline and after 4 weeks of chronic exercise training with measurements obtained at 1 hour, 24 hours, and 48 hours following the final training session.). 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?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07664345, which also lists 4 linked publications.
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 25 Aug 2026.