Effect of Eleutherococcus senticosus on submaximal and maximal exercise performance

We investigated the effect of Eleutherococcus senticosus Maxim L (ESML) on performance during submaximal and maximal aerobic exercise. Twenty highly trained distance runners randomly assigned in matched pairs to either an experimental (ESML) or placebo (PL) group, participated in an 8-wk double-blind study during which they completed five trials of a 10-min treadmill run at their 10 km (10K) race pace and a maximal treadmill test (Tmax). Following a baseline trial, ESML and PL consumed, respectively, 3.4 mi of ESML extract or placebo daily for 6 wk. Subjects were tested every 2 wk during supplementation and 2 wk following withdrawal. Heart rate (HR), oxygen consumption (VO2), expired minute volume (V-E), ventilatory equivalent for oxygen (V-E/VO2), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured during the 10K and Tmax tests. Resting, post-10K and post-Tmax blood samples were analyzed for serum lactate. No significant differences were observed between ESML and PL for: HR, VO2, V-E, V-E/VO2, RER, or RPE; Tmax time to exhaustion; or serum lactate. The data do not support an ergogenic effect of ESML supplementation on selected metabolic, performance, or psychologic parameters associated with submaximal and maximal aerobic exercise tasks.