ergo-log.com

Definition: "An ergogenic aid is any substance or phenomenon that enhances performance "

17.06.2021

Schisandra enhances the increase of muscle strength induced by exercise

A supplement containing an extract of the berries of Schisandra chinensis augments the increase of muscle strength by low-intensity exercise. This is apparent from a human study that Korean researchers published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Study
The researchers, who are affiliated with Pusan ​​National University, divided 46 healthy but inactive over-50s into 2 groups. During the 12 weeks that the experiment lasted, the subjects walked at a brisk pace for half an hour at least 3 times a week.

Half of the subjects took placebo capsules twice a day, the other half received capsules containing an extract of Schisandra chinensis. The subjects took 2 capsules with 250 milligrams of extract with breakfast, and another 2 capsules with 250 milligrams with dinner. In total, the subjects in the experimental group received one gram of extract per day.

This gram of extract contained 1.6 milligrams of schisandrin.

Results
Schisandra supplementation had no effect on body composition. The researchers also found no effect on the strength with which the subjects could squeeze a hand gripper.

However, the torque [say: the strength] that the test subjects could develop during a leg extension did increase. This made sense, because after all, the subjects had used their leg muscles during the experiment. However, the increase in torque was significantly greater in the schisandra group.

Click on the table above for a larger version.

The Korean study doesn't tell us much about how Schisandra chinensis makes muscles stronger. The researchers found no effect on inflammatory factors or markers of oxidation. There was, however, a trend that the glucose level in subjects who received schisandra was slightly lower.

Click on the table below for a larger version.

Perhaps Schisandra chinsensis increases glucose uptake by active muscle cells?

Conclusion
"Schisandra chinensis extract supplementation could enhance skeletal muscle strength in older adults who perform low-intensity exercises", the Koreans summarize their findings. "However, unlike the results of some previous studies, there was no change in muscle mass."

"Further clinical studies are needed to determine the effective dose of Schisandra chinensis extract supplementation for muscle strength and mass and confirm the interaction between Schisandra chinensis extract and exercise."

Source:
Am J Clin Nutr 2021;113:1440-6.

More:
Schisandra chinensis increases muscle strength by 8 percent 23.12.2020
Study: supplementation with schisandra maintains your muscle mass as you age 03.12.2019
Fructus Schisandrae inhibits muscle atrophy almost as well as oxymetholone 08.07.2015

Archives:
Unusual Anabolic Substances
Schisandra

More vitamin C, more muscle The more vitamin C there is in your diet, the more muscle mass you have.	Curcumin increases the muscle strength of people over 65 Give men and women over 65 a capsule of curcumin every day and their muscle strength will increase. Without training.	An unsuspected muscle food: blueberries Blueberries aren't just a fashionable super food for health freaks looking to boost their immune and cardiovascular health. Blueberries may also be of interest to athletes.