“These findings suggest enhanced anaerobic capacity and neuromuscular coordination,” wrote researchers at Hengyang Normal University and other institutions in China and Korea in Frontiers in Nutrition, noting that further research is needed to confirm the supplement’s ergogenic potential.
For Taekwondo, they recommended taking the supplement continuously for at least two weeks before competitions to optimize performance.
“This study adds encouraging early evidence that astaxanthin may play a supportive role in short-term, sport-specific performance in youth athletes, particularly for explosive actions,” performance nutritionist Dan Richardson told NutraIngredients.
“Importantly, it also provides a useful opportunity to reinforce a food-first message, as astaxanthin is naturally present in foods such as oily fish and seafood and can be absorbed from the diet when consumed within balanced meals,” he added.
Study details
The randomized controlled trial evaluated the effects four weeks of daily astaxanthin supplementation (12 mg) in 42 male Taekwondo athletes between the ages of 15 to 18.
The researchers observed no significant changes in body composition measures; however, compared to placebo, athletes taking astaxanthin showed greater improvements in sport-specific kicking performance, including double jumps and high roundhouse kicks. In addition, the supplement was well-tolerated with no adverse effects or gastrointestinal discomfort.
Astaxanthin’s properties
Astaxanthin is a reddish-orange carotenoid found naturally in microalgae and in fish, crustaceans and flamingos that consume such algae. It was first isolated from lobster in 1938 by chemists Kuhn and Sörensen, who named it after “Astacus”, the genus name for the lobster. Since then, astaxanthin has been produced commercially for animal feed and dietary supplements.
Research has suggested multiple physiological benefits of astaxanthin, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immune-enhancing properties. It may help to regulate diabetes and hyperlipidemia and support cardiometabolic and neurological disorders.
By acting on mitochondria, astaxanthin can modulate energy metabolism and support muscle repair and recovery. It was recently reported to improve endurance and reduce muscle damage in cyclists, demonstrating its ergogenic effects.
Unlike cycling or running, taekwondo requires repeated high-intensity movements interspersed with short recovery periods. The current study noted that the kicks evaluated require different energy metabolism pathways and therefore “the antioxidant and mitochondrial regulatory functions of astaxanthin may influence these energy systems on different temporal scales.”
“The findings suggest that astaxanthin may exert time dependent ergogenic effects, with earlier benefits observed in explosive performance tasks and delayed improvements in endurance related activities,” the researchers wrote.
While the study called for further studies to explore the supplements’ longer-term effects, Richardson emphasized the role of ergogenics within a wider dietary and lifestyle approach.
“In practice, the greatest performance gains for young athletes will still come from getting the basics right: energy intake, carbohydrate availability, diet quality, sleep and recovery, with supplementation viewed as a carefully considered adjunct rather than a primary driver of performance,” he said.
Source: Frontiers in Nutrition. Volume 12, doi: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1731899. “Effects of 4-week astaxanthin supplementation on athletic performance and body composition in young male taekwondo athletes: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial”. Authors: X-C Zhang, et al.
