title: GANODERMA LUCIDUM IMPROVES PHYSICAL FITNESS IN WOMEN WITH FIBROMYALGIA.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  fibromyalgia is a chronic disease characterized by generalized pain, stiffness, poor physical conditioning, non-restorative sleep and poor health-related quality of life. Ganoderma lucidum a type of mushroom that has demonstrated several benefits in different populations. Ceratonia siliqua is a natural therapy rich in antioxidants with potential benefits on health.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  to evaluate the effects of 6-week treatment of Ganoderma lucidum and Ceratonia siliqua on physical fitness in patients suffering from fibromyalgia.
  
  
  METHODS
  sixty-four women with fibromyalgia participated in the study. They took 6 g of Ganoderma lucidum or Ceratonia siliqua per day for 6 weeks. Different fitness tests were selected in order to evaluate functional capacity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  after the 6-week treatment period, Ganoderma lucidum significantly improved aerobic endurance, lower body flexibility, and velocity (p < .05). No significant improvement in any physical test was observed in the Ceratonia siliqua group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ganoderma lucidum may improve physical fitness in women with fibromyalgia, whereas, Ceratonia siliqua seemed to be ineffective at increasing physical fitness. These results may indicate that Ganoderma lucidum might be a useful dietary supplement to enhance physical performance of the patients suffering from fibromyalgia.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Sport Science, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.. dcolladom@unex.es.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Collado Mateo
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Sport Science, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.. frapaz76@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pazzi
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Sport Science, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.. fjavierdominguezm@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Francisco J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Domínguez Muñoz
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Sport Science, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.. jpmartinm19@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Juan Pedro
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Martín Martínez
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Actividad Física y Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Chile.. jpmartinm19@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Pedro R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Olivares
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Sport Science, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.. carmelo.adsuar@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Narcis
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gusi
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Sport Science, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.. jpmartinm19@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: José C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Adsuar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015444:Exercise; D007887:Fabaceae / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength; D010807:Physical Endurance; D010809:Physical Fitness; D020940:Reishi / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants