Objective: To investigate the effect of maca extract on exercise endurance and blood hormone levels.
METHODS: Wistar rats were given 2.0, 4.0 and 8.0 g/(kg·bw) maca extract for free swimming by circulating water flow for 15 days. On the 16th day, serum norepinephrine (NA), estradiol (E2) and testosterone (T) levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
RESULTS: After administration of maca extract 2.0, 4.0 and 8.0 g/(kg·bw) for 15 d, the swimming time before sinking and the total swimming time were prolonged by 32.51%, 60.04%, 106.52% and 16.99%, respectively, compared with the pure swimming group. 56.50%, 101.73% (P<0.01), and the number of sinking was reduced by 18.89%, 35.89%, and 58.06% (P<0.01), respectively, compared with the pure swimming group. Compared with the control group, the blood NA levels of the rats increased by 3.30%, 6.60%, and 16.50%, respectively, and were increased by 42.49%, 47.05%, and 60.70%, respectively, compared with the simple swimming group; the blood E2 levels increased by 132.83%, 102.72%, 62.26% (P<0.01), which were 23.88%, 33.72%, and 46.95% lower than those in the simple swimming group; blood T levels were increased by 5.11%, 37.65%, and 123.16%, respectively, compared with the control group, and 28.98% higher than those in the simple swimming group, respectively. , 68.92%, 173.85% (P<0.01).
Conclusion: Maca extract has the effect of relieving fatigue and enhancing exercise ability. The mechanism is related to increasing blood NA and T levels and reducing E2 levels.