Effect Of Maca On The Body Function Status Of Athletes

Objective: This study aims to observe the effects of different doses of maca on body function status in athletes, to make an initial exploration to the sports nutrition efficacy of maca.Methods: 30 national-level athletes who were students in Beijing Sport University were observed in a randomized single-blind and cross-over study design.After the first test, the athletes were divided into three groups by their fat free mass.Every group separately accepted high-dose maca, low-dose maca and placebo intervention in three different stages. Between each means of intervention for 3 weeks,stage set 2-week washout period, and there are tests before and after each stage,therefore there are total six tests. The every test includes body basic index test,Omega wave body function index test, blood physiological test, the aerobic capacity test and anaerobic ability test.Results:1.After taking high dose of maca, the body composition indexes of athletes had no significant difference compared with before taking(p>0.05); In the group of taking low dose maca, the weight had a significant reduction(p<0.01),associated both with body fat percentage and fat free mass declining(p>0.05); In the group of taking placebo, the weight had a significant reduction(p<0.05), associated with only fat free mass declining(p>0.05). 2. The serum BUN in the group of taking placebo increased significantly(p<0.01), but the BUN in low and high dose maca groups had no significant difference(p>0.05); Compared with the placebo group, the serum BUN in high dose maca group decreased significantly(p < 0.01); Serum CK in each group showed a trend of decline, and the high dose of maca group declined most,while the placebo group declined least(p>0.05). 3. The anaerobic lactic acid peak in placebo group decreased significantly(p<0.05), while the low and high dose of maca group increased partly(p>0.05), and the growth of lactic acid peak in these two groups were significantly higher than it in the placebo group(p<0.05). 4. The metabolic reactions index(MRI) in the placebo group reduced significantly(p<0.01),while the MRI in the low dose of maca group increased partly(p>0.05), but its growth was significantly higher than in the placebo group(p<0.01). 5. The Omega wave potential value in high dose of maca increased significantly(p<0.01), while its growth was significantly higher than it in the placebo group(p<0.05), quite significantly higher than that of low dose of maca group(p<0.01).Conclusions: 1. Three-week of high dose of maca intervention is helpful for athletes to maintain good status of body weight. 2. Three-week maca intervention can promote the recovery of serum metabolism index of athletes, and enhance the capacity of athletes’ anaerobic glycolysis, but have no effect on the aerobic performance. 3. Three-week of high dose of maca can be helpful to alleviate athletes central fatigue status.