Effects of various extract drinks on endurance in long-distance running training

Abstract

This paper briefly introduces plant extracts and their combinations with sports drinks. The research involved 40 sportsmen who are affiliated with the Track and Field Department of the School of Physical Education in South-Central Minzu University. This paper aimed to explore the influence of sports drinks enhanced with extracts of Codonopsis pilosula and Acanthopanax senticosus on the endurance levels of long-distance runners. The participants were divided into four groups: a placebo group, a group receiving only C. pilosula, a group receiving A. senticosus, and a composite group. Endurance performance indices for long-distance running were evaluated both before and after the training. Before training, the heart rate, blood lactate level, and maximum oxygen uptake of the placebo group were 159.53 ± 2.21 times/min, 9.7 ± 1.2 mmol/L, and 66.18 ± 2.35 mL/kg/min, respectively; the single Codonopsis pilosula group was 158.33 ± 2.24 times/min, 9.6 ± 1.1 mmol/L, and 65.87 ± 1.88 mL/kg/min, respectively; the single Acanthopanax senticosus group was 159.66 ± 3.67 times/min, 9.7 ±1.0 mmol/L, and 66.32 ± 1.47 mL/kg/min, respectively; the Codonopsis pilosulae and Acanthopanax senticosus composite group was 158.21 ± 1.28 times/min, 9.6 ± 0.9 mmol/L, and 66.87 ± 1.12 mL/kg/min, respectively. After training, the corresponding values of the placebo group were 162.53 ± 3.21 times/min, 9.6 ± 0.8 mmol/L, and 68.85 ± 3.25 mL/kg/min, respectively; the single Codonopsis pilosula group was 145.33 ± 2.25 times/min, 9.1 ± 0.5 mmol/L, and 73.69 ± 2.58 mL/kg/min, respectively; the single Acanthopanax senticosus group was 142.66 ± 3.69 times/min, 9.1 ± 0.8 mmol/L, and 73.84 ± 2.19 mL/kg/min, respectively; the composite group was 131.21 ± 1.36 times/min, 8.3 ± 0.3 mmol/L, and 77.19 ± 3.14 mL/kg/min, respectively. Sports drinks that include extracts of C. pilosula and A. senticosus significantly increased endurance levels. The concurrent use of C. pilosula and A. senticosus was more beneficial in enhancing endurance performance for long-distance running in comparison to using each extract individually.