Effects of Ashwagandha ( <i>Withania somnifera</i>) standardized root extract on physical endurance and VO <sub>2max</sub> in healthy adults performing resistance training: An eight-week, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
Verma N, Gupta SK, Patil S, Tiwari S, Mishra AK
F1000Research · 15 citations
How it was studied
- Design
- Randomized controlled trial (indexed by PubMed)
- Studied in
- People
- Main outcome
- Health markers and function
Who paid for it
- Funding
- Independent funding
Based on full-text disclosure statement.
Publication
- Published
- 2024-04-08 · F1000Res · vol. 12 · p. 335
- Publisher
- Faculty of 1000
- Cited
- 19 citations · more than 98% of similar papers · 9.6× the field average
- Impact
- Top 10% most cited in its field
- References
- 32 works
- Access
- Open access (journal) · CC-BY
- Research areas
- Phytochemicals and Medicinal Plants · Pharmacology and Nanomedicine Research · Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
- Keywords
- Withania somnifera, Medicine, Open peer review, Placebo, Resistance training, Physical therapy, Endurance training, Physiology, Plant biology, Double blind, Traditional medicine, Physical medicine and rehabilitation, Biology, Alternative medicine, Botany
- MeSH
- humans, withania, plant roots, plant extracts, prospective studies, double-blind method, oxygen consumption, physical endurance, adolescent, adult, middle aged, female, male, muscle strength, resistance training, young adult
5 authors
From IN
- Narsingh VermaKing George's Medical University
- Sandeep Kumar GuptaM.V. Hospital and Research Centre
- Sayali Patil · correspondingD.Y. Patil University
- Shashank TiwariKing George's Medical University
- Ashok Kumar MishraM.V. Hospital and Research Centre
Abstract
Background
Ashwagandha is a well-known Ayurvedic herb used for youthful vigor and wellbeing. This study investigated the effects of 600 mg standardized root extract (>5% withanolides) of Ashwagandha ( Withania somnifera) on muscle size, strength and cardiorespiratory endurance following resistance training.
Methods
In this eight-week, parallel-group, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study, 80 healthy male and female participants aged 18-45 years, who engaged in regular physical activity were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to receive Ashwagandha (AG, n=40) 300 mg capsules twice daily for eight weeks, or identical placebo (PB, n=40). Seven (3 AG, 4 PB) participants were excluded due to poor compliance. All participants conducted eight-week resistance training. Study outcomes included muscle strength (1RM bench press and leg extension), muscle size (circumference of arm, chest and upper thigh) and cardio-respiratory endurance (VO 2max) assessed at baseline and at eight weeks. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to estimate adjusted differences based on sex, BMI and chest circumference at baseline.
Results
AG caused greater improvement in bench press (males: p = 0.0084; females: p = 0.0005), leg press (males: p = 0.0049; females: p = 0.018) and endurance (males: p <0.0001; females: p <0.0001) as compared to PB. Also, greater improvements in muscle girth for arm, chest and thigh were seen in both male and female participants with AG. No adverse events were reported in the study.
Conclusions
Eight weeks of AG root extract supplementation along with resistance training is effective in improving muscle strength, growth and endurance in both male and female participants. AG root extract could be a safer, effective and low-cost alternative for athletes to improve muscle endurance.
Abstract via Europe PMC. Copyright remains with the authors or publisher (CC BY).
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