The effect of Panax ginseng supplementation on markers of resistance exercise-induced muscle damage: a systematic review

BACKGROUNDː According to the PRISMA guidelines, this systematic review of randomised controlled trials examined whether Panax ginseng supplementation reduces resistance to exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD).

METHODSː Web of Science, SPORTDiscus and Medline databases were searched from the 16th of December 2021 to the 18th of February 2022. Inclusion criteria were studies in humans consuming Panax ginseng that employed resistance training as the damaging muscle protocol and measured markers implicated in the aetiology of EIMD (muscle damage, muscle function and muscle soreness). The PEDro risk of bias assessment tool was used to appraise the studies critically.

RESULTSː Conflicting evidence was evident in markers of muscle damage, muscle function and muscle soreness. The quality assessment suggested that all studies had some level of bias.

CONCLUSIONSː From 180, six studies were included in the systematic review. The main findings suggest that Panax ginseng does not attenuate markers of EIMD following resistance training. However, research is still preliminary. Adequately powered sample sizes and well-controlled studies are warranted to clarify Panax ginseng’s efficacy.