HPD Perspectives Magazine Summer/Fall 2019

34 | DR. PALLAVI PATEL COLLEGE OF HEALTH CARE SCIENCES PROGRAM NEWS PROGRAM News MACA MAYBE Study Explores Supplementation and Sexual Functioning Benefits BY LIA M. JIANNINE, PH.D., ACSM-CEP, CSCS, CHES, AND JOSE ANTONIO, PH.D., CSCS, FNSCA, FISSN Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is a Peruvian plant that has been cultivated in the Central Andes for more than 2,000 years. It has been linked to im- provements in fertility, energy, stamina, and physical performance. However, new research highlighting maca’s aphrodisiac proprieties have caused renewed interest in this plant. Forty-seven healthy volunteers came to NSU’s Exercise and Sport Science laboratories for research examining the effect of maca on body composition, grip strength, mood, and sexual functioning. Par- ticipants were instructed to ingest 2.1g of a maca- containing product (Nutrition21 proprietary maca blend Lepidamax) or a placebo each day for 28 days. Although there were no changes in body compo- sition, men who consumed maca had significantly higher handgrip, fatigue, and sexual functioning scores when compared to the men who consumed the placebo. Females in the treatment group had significant changes in fatigue, confusion, tension, orgasm, and handgrip from baseline. However, those differences were not significant when compared to the placebo group. This study suggests that maca supplementation may have promise. Moreover, maca supplementation may be of increased importance as sexual dysfunctions rise in conjunction with higher rates of obesity. o Lia M. Jiannine is an assistant professor, and Jose Antonio is a program director and an associate professor in the Health and Human Performance Exercise and Sport Science B.S. Program— Fort Lauderdale. Lia M. Jiannine, left, and independent student Tatyana Salguero in NSU’s Exercise and Sport Science Lab.