Antifatigue and sport performance enhancement effects of safflower extracts in mice

In this study, the antifatigue and sports performance enhancement effects of safflower extracts were evaluated in mice. Antifatigue effect of mice was judged by determining Blood Lactate Concentration (BLA) after a rolling stick and forced swimming exercise. Sports performance was evaluated by calculation of swimming endurance time and hypoxia tolerance time. BLA in test groups (weather low dose or high dose) was significantly lower than that of control groups (p < 0.05) after forced swimming and rolling stick exercise. The swimming endurance time in the test groups was significantly prolonged (p < 0.05) relative to the control groups. Furthermore, the hypoxia tolerance time in low-dose group was significantly longer (p < 0.05) as compared to the control group. Safflower extracts detectably relieve exercise-induced fatigue; as well as significantly increase the exercise endurance capacity and hypoxia tolerance in mice.   Key words: Anti-fatigue, safflower, sports performance, swimming exercise, hypoxiatolerance, blood lactate concentration.