No effect of cordyceps sinensis supplementation on testosterone level and muscle strength in healthy young adults for resistance training

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of oral Cordyceps sinensis supplementation combined with resistance training in young male adults. A group of 16 subjects were randomly allocated to two groups (double blind) to receive either Cordyceps sinensis (CS; 2.4 g/day; n = 8) or a placebo (P; 2.4 g maltodextrin/day; n = 8) during eight weeks of resistance training. Exercises were performed for three sets of 3 to 5 repetitions at a mean training intensity of 80% of 1 repetition maximum (1RM). Before and after training, measurements were taken 1 RM to bench press, leg press, and seated rowing. The body composition, plasma testosterone levels, as well as serum concentrations of blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, aspartate transaminoferase, and alanine transaminoferase were also measured. The results showed that CS supplementation did not significantly affect (p>0.05) the changes in all measurable variables after eight weeks of resistance training. This study suggested that CS is relatively safe to be ingested; however, CS supplementation for eight weeks neither appear to possess a significant ergogenic value nor affect testosterone level of resistance-trained young male adults.