title: Effect of an herbal/botanical supplement on strength, balance, and muscle function following 12-weeks of resistance training: a placebo controlled study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  StemSport (SS; StemTech International, Inc. San Clemente, CA) contains a proprietary blend of the botanical Aphanizomenon flos-aquae and several herbal antioxidant and anti-inflammatory substances. SS has been purported to accelerate tissue repair and restore muscle function following resistance exercise. Here, we examine the effects of SS supplementation on strength adaptations resulting from a 12-week resistance training program in healthy young adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four young adults (16 males, 8 females, mean age = 20.5 ± 1.9 years, mass = 70.9 ± 11.9 kg, stature = 176.6 ± 9.9 cm) completed the twelve week training program. The study design was a double-blind, placebo controlled parallel group trial. Subjects either received placebo or StemSport supplement (SS; mg/day) during the training. 1-RM bench press, 1-RM leg press, vertical jump height, balance (star excursion and center of mass excursion), isokinetic strength (elbow and knee flexion/extension) and perception of recovery were measured at baseline and following the 12-week training intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Resistance training increased 1-RM strength (p < 0.008), vertical jump height (p < 0.03), and isokinetic strength (p < 0.05) in both SS and placebo groups. No significant group-by-time interactions were observed (all p-values >0.10).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data suggest that compared to placebo, the SS herbal/botanical supplement did not enhance training induced adaptations to strength, balance, and muscle function above strength training alone.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology Exercise Physiology Core Laboratory, University of Virginia, 203 Memorial Gymnasium, Charlottesville 22904, Virginia, USA.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Furlong
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Movement Sciences, Human Performance Laboratory, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA.
authors.forename: Corey A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Rynders
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology Exercise Physiology Core Laboratory, University of Virginia, 203 Memorial Gymnasium, Charlottesville 22904, Virginia, USA.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sutherlin
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology Exercise Physiology Core Laboratory, University of Virginia, 203 Memorial Gymnasium, Charlottesville 22904, Virginia, USA.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Patrie
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology Exercise Physiology Core Laboratory, University of Virginia, 203 Memorial Gymnasium, Charlottesville 22904, Virginia, USA.
authors.forename: Frank I
authors.initials: FI
authors.lastname: Katch
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology Exercise Physiology Core Laboratory, University of Virginia, 203 Memorial Gymnasium, Charlottesville 22904, Virginia, USA.
authors.forename: Jay
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hertel
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology Exercise Physiology Core Laboratory, University of Virginia, 203 Memorial Gymnasium, Charlottesville 22904, Virginia, USA.
authors.forename: Arthur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Weltman
keywords: Anti-oxidant; Blue-green Algae; Strength exercise