Effects of Cistanche Supplementation on Anaerobic Exercise Performance and Recovery in Men With D… (NCT07546513) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Effects of Cistanche Supplementation on Anaerobic Exercise Performance and Recovery in Men With Different Athletic Training Levels
China56 participantsStarted 2026-06-25
Plain-language summary
This study is a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial designed to examine whether 8 weeks of Cistanche deserticola supplementation, when combined with a standardized anaerobic training program, can improve anaerobic exercise performance, recovery, and selected body composition outcomes in young adult men with different athletic training levels.
Participants will be assigned to receive either Cistanche deserticola extract or a matched placebo while completing the same supervised anaerobic training program. The study will assess changes in anaerobic performance, including Wingate test outcomes and jump performance, as well as recovery-related indicators such as blood lactate, creatine kinase, malondialdehyde, testosterone, cortisol, and the testosterone-to-cortisol ratio. Body composition outcomes, including body fat percentage and skeletal muscle mass, will also be evaluated.
The purpose of this study is to determine whether Cistanche deserticola supplementation provides additional benefits beyond training alone, and whether these effects differ between highly trained and recreationally trained participants.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 25 Years
Sex
MALE
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Male, aged 18 to 25 years
* Body mass index (BMI) between 18.5 and 25.0 kg/m²
* Able and willing to provide written informed consent
* Willing to comply with study procedures, supplementation, training, and assessments
* Belonging to one of the following athletic training strata:
* High-level elite stratum: Chinese National Level-1 Athlete standard in sprint-related events, regular training in past 12 months and active during study
* Amateur stratum: regular exercise-training background in past 12 months without National Level-1 status
Exclusion Criteria:
* Use of steroids or ergogenic supplements during study
* Known cardiovascular, metabolic, musculoskeletal, or other conditions making participation unsafe or affecting outcomes
* Current use of medications affecting muscle growth, recovery, hormones, or high-intensity performance
* Current injury or limitation preventing safe participation
* Known allergy or intolerance to supplement/placebo ingredients
* Participation in another clinical trial or structured intervention during study period
* Inability or unwillingness to comply with protocol
* Any other condition deemed unsuitable by investigators
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Peak power during the 30-second Wingate Anaerobic Test
Timeframe: Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)
2
Squat jump height
Timeframe: Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)
3
Countermovement jump
Timeframe: Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)