The effect of octacosanol administration on endurance exercise capacity

Journal of Exercise Nutrition & Biochemistry 1999;3(2):85-94.

Abstract

The effect of octacosanol administration on endurance exercise capacity was invesgated. The subjects of this study were healthy-university students to test the effect of octacosanol. Octacosanol(medication group: n=15, athletic group: n=14, 300㎎/capsule, 4 capsules/day) or soy bean oil as placebo(n=15) was administered for 30 days and parameters related to the endurance exercise capacity were measured through incremental exercise testing to all-out before and after each treatment. Both VO_2max and all out time were significantly increased by administration of octacosanol as compared to placebo group(p<0.05). RQmax was significantly decreased in octacosanol as compared to placebo group(p<0.05). The administration of octacosanol had a trend of decrease as compared to placebo group in rating of perceived exertion(RPE) scale. Although the exact mechanism of effect caused by octacosanol administration is not known, it is possible that octacosanol increases the lipolysis and cardiacrespiratory function. From the results, it is suggested that the administration of octacosanol can be increased the endurance exercise capacity.