[Effect of Ciwujia (Radix Acanthopanacis senticosus) preparation on exercise performance under constant endurance...

The effect of Ciwujia (Radix Acanthopanacis senticosus) preparation on human exercise performance was investigated by using 13 healthy volunteers aged 50-57. Under constant endurance load with 450 kg.m/min (75 W), the respiratory quotient after taking Ciwujia preparation was reduced to 0.88 from 0.96, which implied that the utilization of lipid increased with 27.2% as energy fuel during exercise. Meanwhile, the heart rate was reduced with 8.7%, and O2 uptake per heart beat increased with 16.18%. All results indicated that the Ciwujia preparation could increase O2 uptake, spare the glycogen in muscle and improve the exercise endurance and work performance in human subjects.