Comparison of the Effect of Creatine and Ginseng Supplementations on the Aerobic Power, Anaerobic Power, and Muscle Strength of the Male Players of the Iran National Epee Team

Abstract

Background: Measuring physical fitness by studying aerobic metabolism, anaerobic metabolism, and muscular strength in most sports research is one of the important indicators of professional athletes. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to compare six weeks of creatine supplementation and ginseng on the aerobic and anaerobic strength and muscle strength of the male players of the Iran national epee fencing team. Methods: This quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest design was performed on two experimental groups of creatine and ginseng as a double-blind study. A total of 14 male players of the national epee fencing team were assigned to two groups’ creatine supplement and ginseng supplement. The statistical significant difference was determined at P ≥ 0.05, and ANCOVA test was used to assess the differences between groups. All data were analyzed by the SPSS software version 25. Results: The results showed that the mean aerobic power in the creatine supplement group was significantly different from the ginseng supplement group (P = 0.001). In addition, the mean anaerobic control within the creatine supplement group is significantly higher than the ginseng supplement group (P = 0.001). The mean muscle strength in the creatine supplement group is significantly different from the ginseng group (P = 0.001). Higher mean aerobic power, anaerobic power, and muscle strength in the creatine supplement group, compared to the ginseng group, showed the more significant role of this supplement in raising aerobic power. Conclusions: It can be concluded that the role of creatine supplements in improving aerobic and anaerobic power and muscle strength could be more remarkable than the ginseng supplement.