The Impact of Lepidium meyenii (MACA) Supplementation on Basketball-related Performance and Antifatigue Ability: A Double-blind Crossover Study

Abstract

Animal studies suggest that Lepidium meyenii (MACA) may reduce exercise-induced fatigue by improving blood lactate clearance. We hypothesized that MACA supplementation would therefore enhance performance in well-trained male basketball players engaging in intermittent exercise. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of MACA on basketball-specific performance. In a randomized, placebo-controlled crossover trial, ten well-trained college male basketball players supplemented with either 2000 mg/day of MACA or a placebo for 2 weeks. Performance was assessed using the countermovement jump test, the Basketball Jump Shooting Accuracy Test, and the repeated sprint ability test. Results showed no significant differences between the MACA and placebo conditions in countermovement jump height (P = 0.352), jump shooting accuracy, repeated sprint performance, fatigue index (P = 0.266), or blood lactate clearance rate (P = 0.258). We conclude that 2-week supplementation with MACA did not provide ergogenic benefits for performance or fatigue in well-trained basketball players.