ArticleInternational journal of exercise science2021
Effect of Huperzine A on Cognitive Function and Perception of Effort during Exercise: A Randomized Double-Blind Crossover Trial.
Article in International journal of exercise science, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed.
- Efficacy and Safety of Herbal Supplements with Anxiolytic, Antidepressant, and Sedative Action: A Review of Clinical Data and Toxicological Risks.Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Review
- Ginkgo Biloba as a niche theme cognitive enhancer agent, 1420 dokumen of Scopus database. A bibliometric study from 1988 to 2024.F1000Research · 2025Article
- Adulteration of Brain Health (Cognitive, Mood, and Sleep Enhancement) Food Supplements by the Addition of Pharmaceutical Drugs: A Comprehensive Review of Analytical Approaches and Trends.Foods (Basel, Switzerland) · 2024Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
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Abstract
Huperzine A has shown the ability to acutely improve cognitive function in certain populations, and therefore is commonly added to pre-workout supplements. However, its effects have not been studied in exercise-trained individuals.
objectiveWe hypothesized that acute consumption of huperzine A would improve cognitive function during exercise, which may be beneficial for exercise performance.
methodsFrom January to April, 2018, 15 exercise-trained individuals (11 women [height 166 ± 2 cm, weight 60.5 ± 3.0 kg] and 4 men [height 173 ± 4 cm, weight 82.0 ± 11.0 kg], BMI 23.5 ± 1.4 kg/m
resultsNo measures of cognitive function differed between placebo and huperzine A trials (all
conclusionsHuperzine A does not enhance cognitive function during exercise despite it being marketed as a cognitive enhancer. Because of its inability to enhance cognitive function, its inclusion in pre-workout supplements warrants reconsideration. Other more practical and effective strategies should be considered.
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