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Cited by 168Phytochemicals and Medicinal PlantsExercise and Physiological ResponsesMuscle metabolism and nutrition

Examining the effect of Withania somnifera supplementation on muscle strength and recovery: a randomized controlled trial

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Wankhede, Sachin, Langade, Deepak, Joshi, Kedar, Sinha, Shymal R., Bhattacharyya, Sauvik·2015·Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition
DOI 10.1186/s12970-015-0104-9PMC PMC4658772
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Withania somnifera (ashwagandha) is a prominent herb in Ayurveda. This study was conducted to examine the possible effects of ashwagandha root extract consumption on muscle mass and strength in healthy young men engaged in resistance training. METHODS: In this 8-week, randomized, prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study, 57 young male subjects (18-50 years old) with little experience in resistance training were randomized into treatment (29 subjects) and placebo (28 subjects) groups. Subjects in the treatment group consumed 300 mg of ashwagandha root extract twice daily, while the control group consumed starch placebos. Following baseline measurements, both groups of subjects underwent resistance training for 8 weeks and measurements were repeated at the end of week 8. The primary efficacy measure was muscle strength. The secondary efficacy measures were muscle size, body composition, serum testosterone levels and muscle recovery. Muscle strength was evaluated using the 1-RM load for the bench press and leg extension exercises. Muscle recovery was evaluated by using serum creatine kinase level as a marker of muscle injury from the effects of exercise. RESULTS: Compared to the placebo subjects, the group treated with ashwagandha had significantly greater increases in muscle strength on the bench-press exercise (Placebo: 26.4 kg, 95% CI, 19.5, 33.3 vs. Ashwagandha: 46.0 kg, 95% CI 36.6, 55.5; p = 0.001) and the leg-extension exercise (Placebo: 9.8 kg, 95% CI, 7.2,12.3 vs. Ashwagandha: 14.5 kg, 95 % CI, 10.8,18.2; p = 0.04), and significantly greater muscle size increase at the arms (Placebo: 5.3 cm(2), 95% CI, 3.3,7.2 vs. Ashwagandha: 8.6 cm(2), 95% CI, 6.9,10.8; p = 0.01) and chest (Placebo: 1.4 cm, 95% CI, 0.8, 2.0 vs. Ashwagandha: 3.3 cm, 95% CI, 2.6, 4.1; p < 0.001). Compared to the placebo subjects, the subjects receiving ashwagandha also had significantly greater reduction of exercise-induced muscle damage as indicated by the stabilization of serum creatine kinase (Placebo: 1307.5 U/L, 95% CI, 1202.8, 1412.1, vs. Ashwagandha: 1462.6 U/L, 95% CI, 1366.2, 1559.1; p = 0.03), significantly greater increase in testosterone level (Placebo: 18.0 ng/dL, 95% CI, -15.8, 51.8 vs. Ashwagandha: 96.2 ng/dL, 95% CI, 54.7, 137.5; p = 0.004), and a significantly greater decrease in body fat percentage (Placebo: 1.5%, 95% CI, 0.4%, 2.6% vs. Ashwagandha: 3.5%, 95% CI, 2.0%, 4.9%; p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: This study reports that ashwagandha supplementation is associated with significant increases in muscle mass and strength and suggests that ashwagandha supplementation may be useful in conjunction with a resistance training program.

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  1. [7]Braun L, Cohen M. Herbs and Natural Supplements, Volume 1: An Evidence-Based Guide. Elsevier Health Sciences; 2015.
  2. [34]LeSuer DA McCormick JH Mayhew JL Wasserstein RL Arnold MD The accuracy of prediction equations for estimating 1-RM performance in the bench press, squat, and deadlift J Strength Cond Res 1997 11 211 213

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Authors
Wankhede, S., Langade, D., Joshi, K., Sinha, S. R., & Bhattacharyya, S.
Affiliations
  • Smt. Kashibai Navale Medical College and General hospital (IN)
  • Department of Pharmacology
  • Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University) (IN)
  • Grant Medical College and Sir Jamshedjee Jeejeebhoy Group of Hospitals (IN)
  • Department of Pharmaceutical Technology
Corresponding author
Bhattacharyya, Sauvik
ORCID
Venue
Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Published
2015-10-20
Volume
12
Issue
1
Pages
43-43
ISSN
1550-2783 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1186/s12970-015-0104-9
PMC
PMC4658772
OpenAlex
W2174652354
Cited by
168
References
54
Citations by year
2026: 34 · 2025: 32 · 2024: 22 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 3
FWCI
7.87
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Phytochemicals and Medicinal Plants
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Rehabilitation › Exercise and Physiological Responses
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Muscle metabolism and nutrition
Keywords
Withania somnifera, ashwagandha root extract, muscle strength, muscle hypertrophy, resistance training, muscle recovery, creatine kinase, serum testosterone, body composition, leg extension, herbal supplementation, young men, exercise-induced muscle damage, Ayurveda, nutraceuticals, lean body mass
MeSH terms
Adult, Body Composition, Double-Blind Method, Humans, Male, Physical Endurance, Exercise, Treatment Outcome, Muscle, Skeletal, Dietary Supplements, Plant Preparations, Withania, Muscle Strength, Resistance Training, Sports Nutritional Physiological Phenomena

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