Effect of Cordyceps Supplementation Timing on Physiological Responses and Aerobic Adaptation in Athletes

Overview

Athletes frequently perform high-intensity exercise to improve physical performance and aerobic capacity. However, such training can induce exercise-induced muscle damage, oxidative stress, and inflammatory responses that may delay recovery and compromise subsequent training adaptations. Optimizing recovery strategies is therefore essential to maintain performance, reduce injury risk, and support long-term athletic development. Cordyceps is a medicinal mushroom that contains several bioactive compounds, including cordycepin and polysaccharides, which have demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties. Although previous studies have reported beneficial effects of Cordyceps supplementation on exercise performance and physiological function, limited evidence exists regarding the optimal timing of supplementation relative to exercise. This study aims to investigate the effects of different Cordyceps supplementation timing strategies on physiological responses and aerobic adaptation following acute and chronic exercise training. Participants will be assigned to receive Cordyceps supplementation before exercise, after exercise, or placebo. The study will evaluate biomarkers of inflammation (IL-6), oxidative stress (MDA), muscle damage (CK), aerobic capacity (VO2max), and neuromuscular performance assessed using countermovement jump (CMJ) testing. The findings of this study are expected to provide evidence-based recommendations regarding nutritional recovery strategies and supplementation timing to optimize recovery and training adaptation in athletes and physically active individuals.

Background Recovery is a fundamental component of the training process because physiological adaptation occurs not only during exercise but also during the recovery period following exercise-induced stress. High-intensity exercise is widely used to improve athletic performance and aerobic capacity; however, it is also associated with increased physiological stress, including exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD), oxidative stress, and inflammatory responses. Excessive accumulation of these responses may impair recovery, reduce training quality, increase injury risk, and contribute to non-functional overreaching or overtraining. Exercise-induced physiological stress is commonly characterized by elevations in inflammatory biomarkers such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), muscle damage markers such as creatine kinase (CK), and oxidative stress markers such as malondialdehyde (MDA). Conversely, appropriate recovery interventions may facilitate restoration of physiological homeostasis and support positive training adaptations, including improvements in aerobic capacity. Cordyceps is a medicinal fungus that contains several biologically active compounds, including cordycepin, polysaccharides, nucleosides, sterols, and phenolic compounds. Experimental and clinical studies have demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties of Cordyceps. These mechanisms suggest that Cordyceps supplementation may help attenuate exercise-induced physiological stress while supporting recovery and adaptation processes. Despite increasing interest in Cordyceps supplementation among athletes, evidence regarding the influence of supplementation timing remains limited. Most previous studies have focused primarily on supplementation efficacy without specifically evaluating whether administration before exercise or after exercise produces differential physiological effects. Understanding the role of supplementation timing may contribute to the development of more effective recovery strategies in sports science. Objectives The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of Cordyceps supplementation timing on exercise-induced physiological responses and aerobic adaptation following acute and chronic exercise training. Specific objectives include: 1. To compare the effects of pre-exercise and post-exercise Cordyceps supplementation on inflammatory response, muscle damage, and oxidative stress following acute exercise. 2. To compare the effects of pre-exercise and post-exercise Cordyceps supplementation on inflammatory response, muscle damage, oxidative stress, and aerobic capacity following chronic exercise training. 3. To compare physiological responses among pre-exercise supplementation, post-exercise supplementation, and placebo groups. 4. To evaluate the interaction between supplementation timing and exercise exposure on selected physiological biomarkers. 5. To investigate the relationship between changes in oxidative stress, muscle damage, and aerobic adaptation. Study Rationale The scientific rationale of this study is based on the hypothesis that the timing of nutrient delivery may influence physiological responses to exercise. Supplementation administered before exercise may enhance physiological preparedness and reduce exercise-induced stress, whereas supplementation administered after exercise may facilitate recovery and tissue regeneration processes. Identifying the optimal timing strategy may improve recovery efficiency and maximize training adaptation. Study Outcomes The study will evaluate biomarkers associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, and muscle damage, including IL-6, MDA, and CK. Aerobic adaptation will be assessed through maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). In addition to biochemical markers and aerobic capacity, neuromuscular performance will be assessed using countermovement jump (CMJ) testing performed on a validated VALD system. CMJ variables will be used to evaluate lower-body power output and neuromuscular recovery status following acute and chronic exercise exposure. Potential Significance This study is expected to generate novel evidence regarding the role of Cordyceps supplementation timing in athletic recovery and adaptation. The findings may support the development of evidence-based nutritional strategies for athletes, coaches, sports scientists, and healthcare professionals. Furthermore, the study may contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between oxidative stress, inflammation, muscle damage, and aerobic adaptation during exercise training.