The Effect of 8 Weeks of Aerobic Training with and without Lavender Consumption on Lactate and Cortisol Levels in Non-Athlete Male Students

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 8 weeks of aerobic training with and without lavender consumption on lactate and cortisol levels in non-athlete male students. 37 non-athlete male students (age: 23.13 ± 2.54 yr and body mass index: 22.11 ± 2.77) participated in three experimental groups and one control group. They performed aerobic training with 60-75% of maximum heart rate for 8 weeks (3 sessions per week). Two groups consumed lavender and one of these groups also performed aerobic training. Findings showed a significant reduction in plasma lactate and serum cortisol levels after 8 weeks of aerobic training in all 3 experimental groups with and without lavender. However, these changes were not enough to make significant changes among the groups. Also, no significant differences were observed in plasma lactate and serum cortisol levels of subjects. According to these results, 8 weeks of aerobic training with and without lavender consumption postpones fatigue and improves athletic performance in non-athlete male students through lowering levels of lactate and cortisol.