The effect of ginseng supplementation on strength development in response to resistance exercise training

Abstract

The influence of ginseng supplementation on muscular strength is much debated but largely unknown. Therefore the present study was designed to explore the effectiveness of ginseng ingestion on strength development in response to resistance exercise training. Thirty three normal healthy subjects were divided into 2 groups (i) resistance exercise with ginseng supplementation (GIN); (ii) resistance exercise without ginseng supplementation (placebo, PLA). Strength indices were determined using maximal resistance exercise (MRE) protocol before and after a weight training program twice a week for eight weeks. Males generated significantly greater muscular strength compared with females before and after the conditioning program. The average percentage gain in muscular strength was 18.1% for males and 17.9% for females, this differences was not statistically significant. Muscular strength increased significantly after the conditioning program with no statistically significant differences being observed between GIN and PLA group. The average percentage gain in muscular strength was 14% for the PLA group and 20% for the GIN group, these differences were not statistically significant. It is therefore concluded that resistance exercise training was equally effective in increasing whole body muscular strength in males and females. However, ginseng supplementation had no added effect on muscular strength gain.