ORIGINAL ARTICLES   Free access

Minerva Ortopedica e Traumatologica 2016 September;67(3):119-23

Copyright © 2016 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Effects of standardized Ginkgo biloba extract complexed with phosphatidylserine (Virtiva®) on physiological response to prolonged, intense physical activity

Francesco DI PIERRO ¹, Stefano TOGNI ², Federico FRANCESCHI ², Roberto EGHENHOFNER ³, Luca GIACOMELLI ³

¹ Velleja Research, Milan, Italy; ² Indena S.p.A., Milan, Italy; ³ Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics, School of Medicine, Genova University, Genoa, Italy

BACKGROUND: Previous studies demonstrated that administration of standardized extract of Ginkgo biloba reduces stress-induced cortisol increase in young healthy individuals. This study investigates the effect of chronic and acute administration of a standardized extract of Ginkgo biloba (GBE) complexed with phosphatidylserine (Virtiva®) on salivary cortisol level and body composition in elite female volleyball players.
METHODS: Ten elite female volleyball players were randomly assigned to Virtiva® or placebo capsules for 8-week. Moreover, 6 female volleyball players were involved in an acute administration study consisting in 7 days of treatment followed by a 7-day wash-out. Concentration of salivary cortisol, body weight and body composition parameters were measured.
RESULTS: Virtiva®-treated athletes showed a significantly lower salivary cortisol level compared with placebo recipients. Furthermore, Virtiva® administration was associated with a significantly greater increase of fat-free mass and with a significantly greater decrease in fat mass. No significant difference was observed on salivary cortisol level with the acute administration of Virtiva®.
CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that administration of standardized GBE combined with phosphatidylserine (Virtiva®) might exert a beneficial effect on athletes during prolonged intensive training programs, by reducing stress induced-cortisol release.